OSCE Media Freedom Representative strongly condemns shooting at Capital Gazette newspaper office, expresses solidarity with media community in USA
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.
On 28 June, a man opened fire inside the newspaper’s headquarters. Five people, including four journalists and one staff member were killed in the targeted attack on the newspaper. The perpetrator has been apprehended by the police.
"The shooting at the Capital Gazette is a shocking and horrific crime, and one of the deadliest attacks on journalists in the United States and the whole OSCE region,” Désir said. “The journalists were targeted for their work. An attack against the press is an attack against democracy. I stand in solidarity with the Capital Gazette staff and the entire media community in the USA.”
Emphasizing that the Capital Gazette had received threats in the past for their reporting, the Representative said: “Journalists are vulnerable because of their work and their mission to inform the public. The press must be respected and protected as an institution of democracy.”
The Representative welcomed the swift response by the authorities noting that an investigation is underway.
“My deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims of this terrible attack,” he said.
Veteran 59-year-old editor Robert Hiaasen, 61-year-old page editor Gerald Fischman, 65-year-old editor Wendi Winters, 55-year-old staff writer John McNamara, and 34-year-old sales assistant Rebecca Smith have been confirmed killed in the attack.
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.