Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
OSCE Representative concerned about Ukrainian parliament’s call for sanctions against and potential blocking of two television channels
Publishing date: 4 October 2018
VIENNA, 4 October 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his deep concern today about a decision by Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, that calls for sanctions against two Ukrainian television channels, which would eventually terminate their activities...
OSCE Media Representative lauds another key step in investigation of murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée, all involved must be prosecuted
Publishing date: 4 October 2018
VIENNA, 4 October 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today welcomed the arrests of four suspects in Kolarovo and Komarno on 27 and 28 September, and the statement by Slovakia’s General Prosecutor that they are getting closer to fully resolving the double murder of the investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnirova...
OSCE Representative welcomes new law on protection of journalists’ rights to confidential sources in Netherlands
Publishing date: 1 October 2018
VIENNA, 1 October 2018- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today welcomed the entry into force of a new law in the Netherlands which provides enhanced protection for the confidentiality of journalists’ sources...
OSCE Representative reiterates call to Russian authorities to release journalist Roman Sushchenko on the second anniversary of his detention
Publishing date: 30 September 2018
VIENNA, 30 September 2018 – On the second anniversary of the detention of Ukrainian National News Agency Ukrinform’s journalist Roman Sushchenko, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir repeated his call to the Russian authorities to release the journalist from prison.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative welcomes important progress in investigation of murders of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová in Slovakia
Publishing date: 28 September 2018
VIENNA, 28 September 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed today the arrest of eight persons in Slovakia in connection with the murders of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová in February 2018...
OSCE Representative expresses concerns regarding draft UK Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill, urges Government to safeguard media freedom
Publishing date: 28 September 2018
VIENNA, 28 September 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, in a letter to the authorities of the United Kingdom today, conveyed his concerns regarding the draft Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill currently under consideration by the country’s Parliament. While the draft law sets out additional powers to help tackle terrorism, Désir said he was concerned about the potential impact of the proposed legislation on media freedom...
Unacceptable physical attack on journalist in Bulgaria says OSCE media freedom representative, calls for investigation
Publishing date: 27 September 2018
VIENNA, 27 September 2018 – Yesterday's attack on another investigative journalist in Bulgaria is unacceptable, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, said in Vienna today...
OSCE Representative notes Russian Supreme Court resolution to improve judicial practice around online extremist content, urges legislative reform
Publishing date: 26 September 2018
VIENNA, 26 September 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today said he had taken note of the resolution by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, which aims at improving judicial practice in cases of alleged online extremist content...
OSCE Representative calls on Ukrainian authorities to reinstate broadcasts by public service broadcaster UA:PBC and urgently resolve funding problems
Publishing date: 25 September 2018
VIENNA, 25 September 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed his concern about the termination of the analogue distribution of public service broadcaster UA:PBC in Ukraine and repeated his call to the authorities to urgently resolve difficulties with funding the broadcaster’s activities...
OSCE Representative calls on Austrian Ministry of Interior to treat all media equally and to refrain from attacking them
Publishing date: 25 September 2018
VIENNA, 25 September 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today criticized the Austrian Interior Ministry’s instruction to boycott and restrict the flow of information to certain media outlets, and called on the Ministry of Interior to refrain from attacking the media...