Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
OSCE Representative discusses strengthening public service media with the EBU General Director in Geneva
Publishing date: 18 January 2019
GENEVA, 18 January 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today met with the Director General of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Noel Curran, and EBU experts in Geneva to discuss political and public support for public service media across the OSCE region, highlighting the important role they can play in strengthening democracy...
In letter to Foreign Minister of Montenegro, OSCE Representative expressed concern on prison sentence decision against journalist Jovo Martinović
Publishing date: 16 January 2019
VIENNA, 16 January 2019- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir yesterday sent a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, Srđan Darmanović, regarding the recent court sentence against investigative journalist Jovo Martinović...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative publishes legal review of French laws against manipulation of information
Publishing date: 11 January 2019
VIENNA, 11 January 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, published today a legal review of two laws on the fight against the manipulation of information, which were adopted on 20 November 2018 by the French parliament. The review was shared with the French authorities in November...
OSCE Representative expresses alarm following court sentence against Pelin Ünker, urges Turkey not to prosecute journalist for her investigative work
Publishing date: 10 January 2019
VIENNA, 10 January 2019- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today sent a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, expressing his concern over the sentencing of investigative journalist Pelin Ünker...
In a letter to Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan OSCE Representative calls for release of blogger Mehman Huseynov and dropping of criminal charges against him
Publishing date: 9 January 2019
VIENNA, 9 January 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today in a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, expressed his serious concern about the situation and health condition of the imprisoned blogger and chair of the media NGO Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety, Mehman Huseynov, and called on the authorities to drop new criminal charges brought against him. Huseynov has reportedly been on a hunger strike since late December 2018...
OSCE media freedom representative dismayed by continued persecution of journalist Khadija Ismayilova in Azerbaijan
Publishing date: 22 December 2018
VIENNA, 22 December 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed serious concern following a court decision in Azerbaijan ordering a well-known investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova to pay a high fine for an alleged tax debt...
OSCE media freedom representative promotes dialogue between judges from Central Asia on protecting freedom of expression while combating violent extremism
Publishing date: 21 December 2018
VIENNA, 21 December 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, organized on 19 December in Bishkek the first Central Asia Judicial Dialogue, to discuss how to protect freedom of expression while combating violent extremism...
Law further restricting speech in Russia might negatively affect freedoms of media and of information on Internet, says OSCE Representative
Publishing date: 14 December 2018
VIENNA, 14 December 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today conveyed his concern about a new draft law in Russia which can impose excessive restrictions on media and citizens using their right to free expression online...
OSCE Representative discusses regulation of broadcast media and respect for media legislation with member of Serbia’s regulatory authority
Publishing date: 13 December 2018
VIENNA, 13 December 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today met with Olivera Zekić, a member of Serbia’s Council of the Regulatory Authority of Electronic Media (REM), to discuss issues related to REM’s operation, including external influence and the need for independence. The meeting in Vienna took place following a request from the REM Council’s Deputy President...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative strongly condemns attack on journalist’s house in Serbia, urges swift and thorough investigation
Publishing date: 12 December 2018
VIENNA, 12 December 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today condemned an attack on a journalist’s house in Vrčin, Serbia...