News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE representative welcomes decriminalization of defamation in Malta, urges dismissal of civil defamation lawsuits against Caruana Galizia’s heirs
Publishing date: 15 May 2018
VIENNA, 15 May 2018 – Welcoming the entering into force of Malta’s new Media and Defamation Act, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFOM), Harlem Désir, called on the authorities to engage in further legal and policy reforms on civil defamation legislation...
New amendment to Criminal Code poses threat to freedom of media in Russia, says OSCE Representative Désir
Publishing date: 15 May 2018
VIENNA, 15 May 2018- Following the introduction of an amendment to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which penalizes “facilitation” of foreign sanctions toward public or private persons of the Russian Federation, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir, today pointed to the threats it poses for media freedom and freedom of expression in the country...
OSCE media freedom representative condemns assault on journalist in Bulgaria, calls on authorities to ensure safety
Publishing date: 14 May 2018
VIENNA, 14 May 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today raised concern over the assault against Khristo Geshov, a TV journalist from Cherven Bryag, in a letter to the Bulgarian authorities...
South East Europe Media Conference participants call for urgent action to protect journalists and improve media freedom
Publishing date: 11 May 2018
STRUGA, 11 May 2018 – Over the past two days more than 160 participants, including media actors, governments and civil society organizations from across the South-Eastern European region gathered in Struga to discuss the most pressing media freedom challenges and provide recommendations for the improvement of press freedom and the media environment in the region.
OSCE Representative Désir and Ambassador Daviet strongly condemn shooting of journalist Olivera Lakić in Podgorica, call on authorities to bring perpetrators to justice
Publishing date: 9 May 2018
VIENNA, 9 May 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir and Head of Mission of OSCE to Montenegro Maryse Daviet today strongly condemned the attack against journalist Olivera Lakić in Montenegro. Lakić, an investigative journalist with Vijesti newspaper was shot in the leg last night in front of her home, in an attack by three individuals. She was immediately hospitalized and, according to media reports, is currently in stable condition.
Belarus’s practice of penalizing journalists without accreditation is detrimental to media freedom, says OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Publishing date: 8 May 2018
VIENNA, 8 May 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed his continued disappointment and concern regarding the ongoing practice of imposing penalties on journalists working without accreditation in Belarus...
