Osce Representative on Freedom of the Media report
Rome/Vienna [ENA] OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir on 4th July called on participating States to implement the Ministerial Council Decision on Safety of Journalists, as he presented his biannual report to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna.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. “In the last seven months, I made over 240 interventions in 41 OSCE participating States. It is appalling that two journalists, Vadim Komarov and Lyra Mckee, were killed, and that there were a further 92 attacks and threats, including one bombing, three shootings, and seven arson attacks against journalists ” declared Désir. “Journalists are targets but it is freedom of opinion and the right of citizens to be informed that are attacked. Fundamentally, what is under assault is the role of the media in democracy.”
The Representative concluded by reiterating the need to end impunity for attacks against journalists, and that the OSCE, with its comprehensive security approach, is crucial for finding solutions that protect human rights and provide security. The Representative’s full report is available here: www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/424907
Challenges to online freedom of expression and digital technologies were also raised in the Representative’s report. “Freedom of expression requires a digital infrastructure that is robust, universal and accessible to all. Participating States should not disrupt or shut down internet or telecommunications networks,” said Désir. “Social media companies have responsibilities in the fight against unlawful content and hate speech, but we cannot put them in charge of deleting or blocking unpleasant content in general and in control of our fundamental human rights. We need laws that tackle illegal content but preserve freedom of expression, and stronger international cooperation to ensure inter-operability and efficiency in Internet regulation”.