Attack against journalist in Greece unacceptable, OSCE Media Freedom Representative urges full investigation

VIENNA, 20 January 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, condemned today the violent attack against journalist Thomas Jacobi in Athens, Greece.

In the evening of 19 January, Jacobi, a correspondent for the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle and the French newspaper La Croix, was physically attacked while covering a demonstration of right-wing extremists in Athens. He suffered bloody wounds to his face and had his equipment stolen.

“I condemn the appalling attack against Thomas Jacobi in Athens, while covering a demonstration where members of the far-right Golden Dawn movement were present. This is the second time that he has been the target of a violent attack, almost certainly by Golden Dawn members who allegedly recognized him as a contributor to a 2016 documentary on the extremist group. Such intimidation, brutality and violence against a journalist, which could have ended tragically, is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. I welcome the reaction of the Greek government condemning the attack, and urge the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice,” said Désir. 

In January 2019, Jacobi was brutally beaten, in relation to his work on the documentary “The Golden Dawn: A Personal Case”. The Representative previously intervened on his behalf: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/409560. “The safety of journalists must be ensured at all times, particularly while covering demonstrations. I recall the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on Safety of Journalists, urging participating States to take effective measures to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists,” concluded the Representative.

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.