Never give in, never give up: OSCE media representative’s final message at Permanent Council

VIENNA, 9 March 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović reflected on her seven years in office today while presenting her final report to the OSCE Permanent Council. 

“The greatest asset of this Office is the credibility and trust that has been established over the last 20 years of working closely with journalists and civil society throughout the OSCE region,” she said.

She pointed to several prestigious international awards for her work, including the Medaille Charlemagne in 2015 which recognizes a unique contribution within the field of media to the process of European unification, and many others.

Mijatović highlighted the need for increased political support of the office: “It is your job to protect the Mandate and ensure that the Representative, whoever that might be, can work with complete assurance that he or she will be supported and backed by all the participating States,” she said.

She also expressed her hope that her successor would build on the work of prior Representatives.

“I hope my successor will be a strong, independent and clear voice for free media and free expression across the entire OSCE region,” Mijatović said.

She concluded with a rallying cry to journalists and media worldwide: “Never give in; never give up. Eternal vigilance is the price of a free press.”

Mijatovic’s report is available at //www.osce.org/fom/303956.

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 www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.