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.
“From threats and intimidation to attacks, arson, and physical violence including murder, most of my interventions have been on the safety of journalists. This is my number one priority and should also be the first concern for participating States when it comes to media freedom,” Désir said, recalling that 12 journalists and media workers have been killed in the OSCE region in the last year alone.
Désir also emphasised the dangerous climate of repression and threats against the press. “Today in the OSCE region more than 150 journalists are in prison for doing their job,” the Representative said. “I will continue to highlight each case of imprisonment, calling on authorities to dismiss charges and respect the independence and work of the media, until each and every journalist unjustly imprisoned has been released.”
In addition to physical safety, including online safety particularly for female journalists, there are several critical challenges threatening media pluralism and freedom of expression in the OSCE region.
In his presentation today, the Representative also called on the participating States to ensure that the internet remains an open space for pluralistic debate and information rather than a tool for censorship and repression.
“I will continue to stress that human rights and security must be seen as mutually reinforcing and states must do more to ensure that this is reflected in their laws, policies, and practices, including on the internet. One may criticise, one may disagree, one may even dislike the media, but it is the obligation of democracies to accept, to respect, and to protect the diversity and freedom of all voices,” the Representative said.
During the first year of his mandate as OSCE Representative, Désir intervened 371 times in total in 40 participating States, and visited 28 participating States. His Office has conducted 14 legal reviews in 12 participating States and regions; organized four conferences to provide a platform for crucial discussions for representatives of government, civil society, academia, and the media community on strengthening media freedom.
The Representative also welcomed the release of 14 journalists in the last year, whose cases he has regularly raised with the relevant authorities.
“I call on you and your governments to stand by our media and fully honour the commitments you have made to protect freedom of expression and media freedom. The quality of our democracies depends on it,” Désir concluded.