Threats to journalists cannot be tolerated, says OSCE Chairperson ahead of World Press Freedom Day

VILNIUS, 2 May 2011 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, speaking ahead of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, called for OSCE states to do more to protect journalists.

“Digital media in the 21st century have provided unprecedented opportunities for freedom of expression and for accessing information, but true freedom of the press remains hampered by the threat of violence against journalists. Journalists across the OSCE region continue to be threatened, harassed, physically attacked and even murdered simply for doing their legitimate and vital jobs,” said Ažubalis.

“We cannot tolerate these threats to the safety of journalists, nor the chilling effect that such threats can have. OSCE participating States must do more to fulfil their media freedom commitments and ensure that effective legislation, law enforcement practices and judicial instruments are in place to guarantee the safety of journalists.”

Lithuania’s OSCE Chairmanship and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media will host a conference on the safety of journalists in the OSCE region on 7 and 8 June in Vilnius.