OSCE representative calls on US law enforcement authorities to investigate arrests of reporters covering Ferguson demonstrations

VIENNA, 19 August 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today urged U.S. law enforcement authorities to respect the right of media to cover public events without undue restraints in light of the arrest of three more journalists reporting on civil disturbances in Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri.

“I call on the authorities to thoroughly review the circumstances behind these incidents and to ensure that journalists covering news in Ferguson can work freely and safely,” Mijatović said.

Getty Images photojournalist Scott Olson was arrested on Monday and in a separate incident state police arrested and took German journalists Ansgar Graw and Frank Herrmann into custody. All three were later released. The journalists were covering demonstrations in Ferguson, which have been taking place following the fatal shooting of a local resident last week.

On 13 August local law enforcement officers arrested Washington Post reporter Wesley Lowery and Huffington Post reporter Ryan J. Reilly, and an Al Jazeera TV crew was sprayed with tear gas while reporting on the demonstrations. (See www.osce.org/fom/122623).

“I fully recognize the sensitive situation in Ferguson but the right of media to cover public protests must be taken into account when law enforcement officials are maintaining public order,” Mijatović said. “Journalists should not be intimidated by police.”

Mijatović also noted U.S. President Barack Obama’s condemnation of the arrests of journalists in Ferguson last week.

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 atwww.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on facebook.com/osce.rfom.