News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Court ruling in Spain ordering El Mundo newspaper not to publish story is a threat to investigative journalism, OSCE Representative says
Publishing date: 5 December 2016
VIENNA, 5 December 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed concern about a recent ruling by a Spanish judge to stop the daily newspaper El Mundo from publishing a story on an investigation into the tax affairs of soccer professionals...
Uzbekistan presidential election underscores need for comprehensive reforms, OSCE/ODIHR observers say
Publishing date: 5 December 2016
TASHKENT, 5 December 2016 – The 4 December presidential election in Uzbekistan underscored the need for comprehensive reforms to address long-standing procedural and systematic shortcomings, including to a legal framework that is not conducive to holding genuine democratic elections, the election observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) concluded in a preliminary statement released today...
OSCE/ODIHR Director calls for increased efforts to remove barriers for more inclusive societies ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Publishing date: 2 December 2016
WARSAW, 2 December 2016 Ahead of tomorrow’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) called on participating States to take concrete steps to create more inclusive societies, free from intolerance and promoting the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life...
Deteriorating journalists’ safety situation and impunity continue to plague media freedom in the OSCE region, OSCE Representative says
Publishing date: 1 December 2016
VIENNA, 1 December 2016 – Attacks on journalists and impunity for crimes committed against journalists continue to plague media freedom in the OSCE region, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović told the Permanent Council today when she presented her latest semi-annual report on media freedom developments in the OSCE region over the past six months...
Corruption challenges in focus at youth-public-private partnership forum supported by OSCE Office in Yerevan
Publishing date: 23 November 2016
An anti-corruption youth-public-private partnership forum offering practical knowledge and know-how in the fight against corruption was held on 18 20 November 2016 in Aghveran, Kotayk region of Armenia with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan...
OSCE Representative reiterates call on authorities in Azerbaijan to decriminalize defamation
Publishing date: 17 November 2016
BRUSSELS, 17 November 2016 – Following steps in Azerbaijan to expand criminal insult provisions, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today reiterated her call on the authorities to reform the country’s defamation legislation...
Moldova presidential run-off competitive, fundamental freedoms respected, but polarized media coverage, harsh rhetoric detracted from process, say international observers
Publishing date: 14 November 2016
CHISINAU, 14 November 2016 – The second round of the presidential election in Moldova was competitive, with respect for fundamental freedoms. The campaign, featuring televised debates, allowed the two candidates to address voters directly. However, increasingly polarized media coverage, harsh and intolerant rhetoric and continued instances of abuse of administrative resources detracted from the process. Complaints, mostly related to campaign finance, were not resolved in a timely and consistent manner, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today...