Mandates created for media representative and economic and environmental co-ordinator

VIENNA, 6 November 1997 - The Permanent Council of the OSCE yesterday decided on the mandate for the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, as called for by the OSCE Lisbon Summit Meeting in December 1996.

The Representative on Freedom of the Media is called on to provide "rapid response to serious non-compliance with OSCE principles and commitments by participating States in respect of freedom of expression and free media." He or she will "observe relevant media developments" in all OSCE States and "address serious problems caused by, inter alia, obstruction of media activities and unfavourable working conditions for journalists."

The Representative on Freedom of the Media, to be appointed at the 18-19 December Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Copenhagen, will be an "eminent international personality with long-standing relevant experience..." The office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media will be located in Vienna.

At the same meeting, the Permanent Council also decided on a mandate for the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. The establishment of this position was also called for by the Lisbon Summit Meeting. The Co-ordinator is charged with "strengthening the ability of the Permanent Council and the OSCE institutions to address economic, social and environmental aspects of security." The Co-ordinator will closely interact and co-ordinate with international organizations active in economic and environmental issues and draw on their expertise to "assess potential security risks stemming, wholly or in part, from economic, social and environmental factors..."

The Co-ordinator will be "an individual with a distinguished record of service in the public or private sector." He or she will work in the OSCE Secretariat under the direct supervision of the Secretary General.