Freedom of the media and freedom of expression focus of OSCE-organized roundtable discussion

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized a two-day online roundtable meeting, held on 3 and 4 August 2021, with national partners involved in the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) for 2021–2025. The meeting provided a platform for discussion on practical steps to implement NHRAP provisions related to freedom of the media and freedom of journalistic profession.

Representatives from the Institute of State, Law and Democracy, the Supreme Court, the Bar Association, Mejlis (Parliament), and other relevant institutions and national media to part in the discussions.

“Independent media are essential to the development of free and open societies and to the accountability of governments. Over the years, OSCE participating States have adopted a number of important documents that contain commitments in the areas of freedom of the media, freedom of expression and the free flow of information,” said William Leaf, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Center in Ashgabat.

The NHRAP for 2021–2025 includes provisions for enhancing national media legislation and its implementation practices, decriminalizing libel and ensuring the safety of journalists.

"Safety of journalists is high on the Organization's agenda, since the rights of journalists to exercise their profession in safety is essential to freedom of the media and freedom of expression,” added Leaf.

Two international experts from Austria and Georgia facilitated the meeting, in which discussions took place on the importance of decriminalization of libel and government’s role in the process, legal guarantees ensuring the safety of journalists, and illegal interference into the work of journalists. The experts also presented best practices of OSCE participating States in promoting internet freedom and efficient implementation of media legislation.