Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
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 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.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative welcomes release of journalist in Tajikistan, calls for all charges to be dropped
Publishing date: 22 August 2018
VIENNA, 22 August 2018- OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today welcomed the release of Khayrullo Mirsaidov on appeal by decision of the Sughd regional court. “I am relieved that the court decided to set Mirsaidov free today. While this is a welcome step forward, I very much hope that the remaining charges against him are finally dropped,” Désir said.
OSCE Representative concerned over measures against independent media outlets in Belarus, calls on authorities to release detained journalists
Publishing date: 8 August 2018
VIENNA, 8 August 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed serious concern over the detention of journalists with the Belarusian Tut.by and BelaPAN news agencies, as well as raids of newsrooms and journalists’ homes by law enforcement agents, and the seizure of their equipment...
OSCE media freedom representative saddened by tragic death of journalist Suvorov in Russia, expresses condolences to relatives and colleagues
Publishing date: 25 July 2018
VIENNA, 25 July 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, said today he was saddened by the tragic death of journalist Denis Suvorov in Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation.
OSCE media freedom representative welcomes Dutch initiative to counter violence against journalists
Publishing date: 24 July 2018
VIENNA, 24 July 2018- OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed today the recent agreement between the authorities and the media community in the Netherlands to counter threats and violence against journalists. The move comes against the background of the deteriorating safety climate for media workers.