VIENNA, 22 October 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, said today that journalists’ safety must be ensured at all times. The statement followed recent incidents with several journalists covering public protests in Baku.
“Media have the right to cover public events, and journalists must be able to report in a free and safe manner, without fear of intimidation,” Désir said.
According to reports, on 19 and 20 October journalists from various media outlets, including Meydan TV, Radio Azadliq (RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service), Turan news agency, Voice of America’s Azerbaijani Service, Objective TV online channel, Azadliq newspaper, Toplum TV news platform, and some freelance reporters, were mistreated, verbally assaulted and shortly detained by the police while covering public demonstrations in Baku. Reportedly, in some instances, the journalists were affected despite being clearly identified as media.
“I deplore the incidents with journalists covering public protests in Baku and the cases of obstruction of their work, and call on the authorities to promptly investigate them and take steps to ensure restraint on the part of law enforcement representatives towards members of the media,” Désir said.
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Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
