Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
OSCE Representative concerned over denial of accreditation to journalists at upcoming inauguration of Hungary’s new parliament
Publishing date: 7 May 2018
VIENNA, 7 May 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed concern over the denial of accreditation to journalists, which prevents them from reporting from the inaugural meeting of Hungary’s new parliament on 8 May...
Media independence and diversity in the digital age highlighted in Joint Declaration by OSCE media freedom representative, UN & regional counterparts
Publishing date: 2 May 2018
ACCRA, 2 May 2018- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today issued the 2018 Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression, together with the other international rapporteurs on freedom of expression, at a high-level meeting organised by UNESCO in Accra, Ghana, to mark the World Press Freedom Day 2018 on 3 May. This year’s Joint Declaration focuses on “media independence and diversity in the digital age”...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative welcomes positive developments in Kyrgyzstan
Publishing date: 27 April 2018
VIENNA, 27 April 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today welcomed a number of positive steps for media freedom in Kyrgyzstan.
OSCE representative welcomes release of Akın Atalay in Turkey but strongly condemns prison sentences for Cumhuriyet journalists and staff
Publishing date: 26 April 2018
VIENNA, 26 April 2018- While welcoming the acquittal of three Cumhuriyet staff, and the release of CEO Akın Atalay, OSCE media freedom representative Harlem Désir strongly condemned the prison sentences issued by the court in Silivri, Turkey, to the majority of the defendants...
Concluding visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, OSCE Representative calls for strengthening independence of public service broadcasting and protecting safety of journalists
Publishing date: 20 April 2018
SARAJEVO, 20 April 2018 – OSCE media freedom representative Harlem Désir, concluded today his first official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizing the need to strengthen media pluralism, including respecting the independence and sustainability of public service broadcasting, and the need to protect safety of journalists in the country...
OSCE media freedom representative shocked by death of journalist in Russia, calls for full, transparent and independent investigation
Publishing date: 16 April 2018
VIENNA, 16 April 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, said today he was shocked by the death of journalist Maksim Borodin in the Russian Federation...
OSCE media freedom representative Désir condemns blacklisting of journalists in Hungary
Publishing date: 13 April 2018
VIENNA, 13 April 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today strongly condemned the publication of a list of more than 200 people by a Hungarian media outlet which claimed that over 2,000 people, including those listed by name, are allegedly working to “topple the government”...
Blocking of Telegram and legal restrictions on social networks will limit freedom of expression in Russia, says OSCE Representative Désir
Publishing date: 13 April 2018
VIENNA, 13 April 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed his concern about a court’s decision to block the Telegram messaging and social networking application in the Russian Federation...
OSCE media freedom representative calls for the release of a reporter in Tajikistan
Publishing date: 13 April 2018
VIENNA, 13 April 2018 – Today OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir called on the Tajikistani authorities to release from pre-trial detention Khayrullo Mirsaidov, a reporter with a number of national and international media outlets in Tajikistan in the past years. Mirsaidov is facing charges of embezzlement of funds, falsification of documents, making false accusations, and incitement to inter-ethnic hatred.
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir calls upon the Czech authorities to protect journalists’ rights to confidential sources
Publishing date: 13 April 2018
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...