Safeguarding media freedom in volatile environments in spotlight at conference organized by Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
The conference brought together more than 250 journalists, representatives from governments, civil society organizations and academia along with international experts from across the OSCE region. The event was convened in order to help media and authorities throughout the region in areas affected by the conflict to overcome the most prevalent and problematic media issues related to establishing peace, co-operation and security.
The Russian and Ukrainian journalists’ unions, as part of the ongoing dialogue between them, issued a joint statement during the conference on safety of a journalist.
Straight-forward reflections and recommendations to policy makers were shared by the BBC journalist Kate Adie, well-known from her reporting from both Gulf Wars and four years of reporting from the wars in the Balkans.
“Being a journalist, you have a duty to witness. Conflict involves us all. Journalists should be there, because not only the military takes part in conflict, but the unwilling too. And we are there to report on that,” said Adie in her keynote speech.
David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, shared his insights on the current situation of international policy and its ability to address media freedom and freedom of expression during situations of conflict.
“We need protection from censorship and protection from attack. Today, we see laws criminalizing defamation and criticism of governments, prosecution for false news, and impunity for crimes committed against journalists. We also see restrictions on freedom of expression, which are not necessary and proportional. Media freedom and freedom of expression is slipping out of our hands, and we need to correct that,” said Kaye in his opening speech.
Frane Maroević, Director of the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, in his closing remarks said: “In environments, where the free flow of information is being restricted, where disinformation and propaganda is being spread in order to manipulate people’s minds, and where journalists are risking their lives every day by simply doing their job, it is the duty of each and every one of us to ensure that media freedom is safeguarded. Conflict is not a tool to be used to justify restrictions on freedom of expression.”
For more information about the conference, please see www.osce.org/fom/314201.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. The Representative 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.