OSCE Representative on Freedom of Media Harlem Désir welcomes launch of Reporters Without Borders self-regulation initiative to counter disinformation online
PARIS, 3 April 2018 - Today the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed the launch by Reporters Without Borders and its Secretary General Christophe Deloire, the Agence France-Presse (AFP), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Global Editors Network (GEN) of a new self-regulation initiative to counter disinformation online and enhance transparency and trust in the media.
The Journalism Trust Initiative aims at developing professional standards on transparency, accountability and compliance with ethical norms, through a self-regulatory process by interested media, on a voluntary basis.
“I welcome this initiative by the Reporters Without Borders, AFP, UER and GEN and continue to encourage independent and voluntary media self-regulation online as an essential tool to tackle the dangers of disinformation,” said Désir.
The growing prevalence of disinformation is becoming one of the biggest challenges of our times, and is one of the main priorities of the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.
The latest Joint Declaration by the international freedom of expression rapporteurs, including Representative Désir, focused on the phenomenon of “fake news”, disinformation and propaganda. It provides a list of concrete recommendations for various stakeholders, including government and the media, for how to tackle this issue.
“I am pleased to see the recommendations of the Joint Declaration, in particular on online media self-regulation, realized by the media community. At the same time, states must guarantee the right to freedom of expression and ensure an environment conducive for independent and pluralistic media to flourish. In such an environment, the media can play a pivotal role in raising professional standards and responding to harmful content online,” said Désir.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.