OSCE media freedom representative concerned about blocking of news website in Mongolia

VIENNA, 10 July 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed concern about the blocking of the news website Amjilt.com in Mongolia.

“Blocking websites stifles critical voices and goes against OSCE media freedom commitments,” Mijatović said. “Such a measure could also have a chilling effect on investigative journalism, one of the pillars of free media.”

On 4 July the Mongolian Communications Regulatory Commission (CRC) blocked Amjilt.com. The blocking followed the CRC’s informal request to the portal management to remove a critical investigative article mentioning Mongolia’s Prime Minister. Amjilt.com’s management did not take down the story.

Even though CRC did not claim responsibility for this action and Amjilt.com did not receive any official request, the CRC put the website on its list of conflicting domains which are blocked for violation of intellectual property rights.

“It is worrisome to see a government regulator initiating measures to block access to information of public interest,” Mijatović said. “I urge the authorities to encourage pluralistic discourse of all issues of public importance.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She 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 facebook.com/osce.rfom.