News and press releases

VIENNA, 1 March 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed the release of Djamshid Karimov, a journalist from Djizak, Uzbekistan...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including twice as many explosions, compared with the previous reporting period. It observed damage from gun fire and shelling on both sides of the contact line, in Yasynuvata, Talakivka, Novolaspa and Verhulivka. The SMM noted resumption of electricity in parts of Avdiivka. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote, but its access remained restricted.* The SMM camera in Stanytsia Luhanska revealed one ceasefire violation inside the disengagement area on 27 February. The SMM noted weapons in violation on both sides of the contact line. It noted the presence of unexploded ordnance in Novooleksandrivka and of mines south of Shchastia. The SMM monitored the blockade of routes crossing the contact line. It visited a border area not under government control. In Kharkiv the SMM monitored a public gathering...

VIENNA, 1 March 2017 – The arrest of a Die Welt journalist in Turkey is yet another reminder of the current critical situation of media freedom and free expression in that country, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today...

VIENNA, 1 March 2017 – Dunja Mijatović, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, today presented a legal analysis on the draft Media and Defamation Act commissioned by her Office...

VIENNA, 1 March 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned recent attacks on journalists in Skopje...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region between the evenings of 26 and 27 February compared with the previous 24 hours. The SMM observed houses damaged by shelling in Zolote and Pikuzy. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote, but its access remained restricted.* The Mission reviewed video footage from the SMM camera in Zolote that revealed ceasefire violations near the disengagement area on 25 February. The SMM observed weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. The SMM noted the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance in Nova Marivka and Zolote, and near Shchastia. A “DPR” member returned an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle seized by armed men in Yasynuvata on 24 February. The Mission monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable maintenance and repairs near Artema and Krasnyi Lyman. The SMM monitored the blockade of a railway track near Hirske. It visited two border areas not under government control. The SMM monitored public gatherings in Kyiv and observed removal of graffiti from a bank in Odessa, as well as a cross erected in a Jewish cemetery in Ivano-Frankivsk...

VIENNA, 27 February 2017- Ensuring the safety of journalists and promoting media ethics are top priorities for protecting media freedom and enhancing comprehensive security, peace and democracy across the entire OSCE region, participants at an OSCE Chairmanship conference on media freedom in the Western Balkans agreed today...