Newsroom
News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
COVID-19: Governments must promote and protect access to and free flow of information during pandemic, say international media freedom experts
Publishing date: 19 March 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development
GENEVA / WASHINGTON / VIENNA, 19 March 2020 – In light of the growing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the monitors for freedom of expression and freedom of the media for the United Nations, the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights, and the Representative on Freedom of the Media of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe issued the following joint statement:
OSCE Representative Désir concerned by several cases of restrictions on media publication linked to “false information” on COVID-19 in Russia
Publishing date: 2 May 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development
VIENNA, 2 May 2020 – Following recent restrictions on several media in the Russian Federation, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, reiterated today his call on the Russian authorities to take into greater consideration the principles of necessity and proportionality when regulating the media and journalists’ activities...
COVID-19 response in Bulgaria should not curb media freedom, says OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Publishing date: 15 April 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development, Media laws
VIENNA, 15 April 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today about Bulgaria’s draft legislation that would criminalize the spread of "internet misinformation". Punishment includes fines of up to 1,000 euros and even imprisonment of up to three years...
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media meets with Ambassador of Denmark
Publishing date: 9 February 2021
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development
In a meeting on 9 February with Danish Ambassador René Dinesen, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, took positive note of the current media situation in Denmark.
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media meets with US Ambassador
Publishing date: 20 December 2021
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development
On 17 December 2021, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro met with the Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the OSCE, Ambassador Michael Carpenter. They discussed current developments on media freedom and freedom of expression in the United States and the wider OSCE region.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative concludes official visit to Switzerland
Publishing date: 12 November 2021
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development
On 9 November 2021, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro concluded her two-day official visit to Switzerland. During her visit, Ribeiro met with several government authorities, including Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga, State Secretary Livia Leu, OFCOM Director Bernard Maissen and the President of the Swiss Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Josef Dittli. She also met with representatives of media freedom organizations and media representatives to discuss media freedom and freedom of expression in Switzerland and across the OSCE region.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative and Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo condemn violent attack against journalists in Mitrovica North
Publishing date: 23 March 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development, Safety of journalists
VIENNA/PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 23 March 2020- The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jan Braathu, and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, condemned the physical attack that was reported earlier today in Mitrovica North against a journalist crew from Gazeta Blic that was covering the COVID-19 situation in this municipality.
Participants of annual Central Asia Media Conference highlight need to uphold OSCE media freedom commitments while countering ‘harmful content’
Publishing date: 9 October 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development
VIENNA, 9 October 2020 – The 22nd Central Asia Media Conference, organized online by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), concluded today. Over the course of the three-day conference, around 150 journalists, representatives of NGOs, academia, international experts, and government agencies from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan as well as Mongolia, discussed a broad range of issues related to freedom of the media and freedom of information in the region, with a special focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic...
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media meets with Ambassador of Georgia
Publishing date: 9 February 2021
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development
In a meeting on 9 February, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, discussed with Georgian Ambassador Ketevan Tshikelashvili the situation of media freedom in Georgia and the progress achieved by the country in recent years...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative welcomes swift reaction of Armenian Government in addressing his concerns on State of Emergency Decree
Publishing date: 27 March 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development, Media laws
VIENNA, 27 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed today the swift reaction of the Armenian Government in addressing his concerns about the Decree on the State of Emergency, adopted on 23 March, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic...