News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE media freedom representative concerned over closure of three newspapers and one TV station in Turkey, calls on authorities to restore media pluralism
Publishing date: 9 July 2018
VIENNA, 9 July 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed his concern regarding the law decree issued in Turkey on 8 July, which closed down three newspapers and one TV station, in a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.
OSCE Representative condemns severe prison sentences for Zaman journalists, calls for their release
Publishing date: 6 July 2018
VIENNA, 6 July 2018- OSCE Representative on the Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir voiced strong disapproval against today’s court decision to imprison Zaman journalists.
OSCE Representative raises concerns regarding Ukrainian draft law to counter threats to national security in the information sphere
Publishing date: 6 July 2018
VIENNA, 6 July 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today raised concerns regarding the draft law “On changes to some legislative acts of Ukraine on countering threats to national security in the information sphere”, as it may endanger free access to information online...
OSCE Representative denounces restrictive measures on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty as “foreign agents” in Russia
Publishing date: 6 July 2018
VIENNA, 6 July 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today denounced the fine imposed on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) for not complying with a Russian law regulating the activities of media outlets branded by the authorities as “foreign agents.”
It’s our responsibility to respect and protect diversity and freedom of all voices, OSCE media freedom representative tells Permanent Council
Publishing date: 5 July 2018
VIENNA, 5 July 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today sounded the alarm on the gravity and deterioration of media freedom in the OSCE region, as he presented his biannual report to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, one year after his appointment...
Policy of discrimination of media as “foreign agents” should stop, says OSCE Representative following legal amendments in Russia
Publishing date: 4 July 2018
VIENNA, 4 July 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today raised his concern about the draft law amending the “Statute on the Mass Media” in the Russian Federation. If adopted in its current state, the law would extend the status of “foreign agent” not only to media but to individual journalists and other authors.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative strongly condemns shooting at Capital Gazette newspaper office, expresses solidarity with media community in USA
Publishing date: 29 June 2018
VIENNA, 29 June 2018- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed shock and strong condemnation following the shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper office in Annapolis, Maryland in the United States of America...