Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
OSCE Representative welcomes landmark decision by European Court of Human Rights on Investigatory Powers Act in the United Kingdom
Publishing date: 14 September 2018
VIENNA, 14 September 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed yesterday’s highly significant decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), which found that the United Kingdom’s Investigatory Powers Act threatened the confidentiality of journalists’ sources. The Representative previously warned of the potential threat to journalists posed by this law.
OSCE Representative concerned over seizure of equipment at an Italian journalist’s home
Publishing date: 14 September 2018
VIENNA, 14 September 2018- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today sent a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Enzo Moavero Milanesi, to express his concerns about the seizure of a journalist’s phone and computer, as well as to recall the necessity to respect the protection of journalistic sources and to enquire whether the seizure respected national and international standards.
OSCE Representative reiterates call to release journalist Roman Sushchenko, following Russian Supreme Court upholding his sentence
Publishing date: 12 September 2018
WARSAW, 12 September 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, said that today’s decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation to uphold the sentencing of Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko is deeply disappointing...
OSCE Representative condemns arrest of Austrian journalist Max Zirngast in Turkey, calls on authorities to immediately release him
Publishing date: 12 September 2018
WARSAW, 12 September 2018- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today strongly condemned the arrest of Austrian journalist Max Zirngast and the continued prosecution of journalists in Turkey.
OSCE Representative calls on Ukrainian authorities to respect journalists’ privilege of confidentiality of sources
Publishing date: 5 September 2018
VIENNA, 5 September 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed his concern about a court decision in Kyiv ordering the disclosure of mobile-phone data of a Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) investigative reporter and the host of its Schemes programme, Natalia Sedletska.
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media condemns violence by extremists against journalists covering protests in Germany
Publishing date: 4 September 2018
VIENNA, 4 September 2018- OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today condemned continued targeted attacks by extremists against journalists covering protests in Chemnitz, Germany. The condemnation follows the latest attacks during an anti-migrant demonstration on 1 September.
OSCE media freedom representative seriously concerned by arrest of journalists in UK
Publishing date: 1 September 2018
VIENNA- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir expressed serious concern today about arrests of two journalists and search of their property in Northern Ireland...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative strongly condemns shooting at family home of journalist in Albania, calls on authorities to urgently address case
Publishing date: 30 August 2018
VIENNA, 30 August 2018- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today issued his strong condemnation of a shooting with automatic weaponry at the family home of News 24 TV channel journalist Klodiana Lala in Albania.
OSCE Representative Désir and Head of Mission Berton condemn physical attack against journalist in Bosnia and Herzegovina, urge swift investigation
Publishing date: 27 August 2018
VIENNA, 27 August 2018- OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir and Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Bruce G. Berton strongly condemned the severe beating of journalist Vladimir Kovačević that took place in Banja Luka, BiH, on the evening of 26 August.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative reiterates call for release of Stanislav Aseev following journalists’ first public appearance since being detained
Publishing date: 23 August 2018
VIENNA, 23 August – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today called for the immediate release of Ukrainian journalist, writer and blogger Stanislav Aseev (Vasin), who appeared on a Russia-24 tv report on 17 August for the first time since the beginning of his detention.