Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

VIENNA, 15 May 2018- Following the introduction of an amendment to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which penalizes “facilitation” of foreign sanctions toward public or private persons of the Russian Federation, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir, today pointed to the threats it poses for media freedom and freedom of expression in the country...

VIENNA, 13 April 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today called upon the Czech authorities to respect journalists’ rights to protect confidential sources, following complaints by investigative journalists Jaroslav Kmenta (of The Reporter), Janek Kroupa (of Czech Radio) and Sabina Slonkova (of Neovlivni.cz) regarding pressure by police investigators to disclose their sources. The journalists allege that in recent months, they have been repeatedly questioned by the police and the General Inspection of Security Corps (GIBS) over their reporting related to corruption cases...

VIENNA, 5 April 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today criticized the temporary detention of journalists and editors from Ratel.kz and Forbes Kazakhstan, and the blocking of the Ratel.kz webpage in Kazakhstan...

VIENNA, 27 March 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, in a letter to the authorities of Turkmenistan recently presented a commentary on the national law “On Television and Radio Broadcasting”, which was adopted on 5 January...

VIENNA, 23 March – Today OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir wrote to the Slovak authorities to express concern about a recently passed verdict on the case of journalist Lukáš Milan...

VIENNA, 22 March 2018 – “Today, the Internet is the main platform where pluralistic discussions can still take place in Turkey. Further restricting access to the Internet will critically weaken access to information and online expression,” OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir said today...

OTTAWA, 1 March 2018- OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir yesterday concluded a visit to Canada in which he held meetings on the state of freedom of expression and media freedom in the country with a broad range of state officials. He also participated in an international conference on Internet jurisdiction in Ottawa...

OTTAWA, 28 February 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, yesterday shared a legal review with the Turkish authorities on elements of a bill that, if adopted, could restrict online broadcasting and further limit media pluralism in the country.

OTTAWA, 27 February 2018- OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed concern about a recent court decision in Cyprus prohibiting the daily Politis from publishing documents regarding the state attorney and the questioning by the police of several journalists of the daily newspapers Politis and Phileleftheros...

TIRANA, 13 February 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, concluded a two-day visit to Albania. During his visit, Désir met with Prime Minister Edi Rama, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati, Chair and Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Media Committee and media actors in the country.