OSCE Chairman pays tribute to journalists' contribution to democratic change

LJUBLJANA, 3 May 2005 - OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel paid tribute on World Press Freedom Day to the large number of journalists who have contributed to democratic change in the OSCE region in the last 30 years through their work.

"Journalists have always been in the frontlines of resistance against authoritarian regimes and closed societies," the Chairman-in-Office, who is also Slovenian Foreign Minister, said.

Uniquely among international organizations, the OSCE has a specialized institution that deals with freedom of the media, reflecting the understanding of the 55 participating States of the importance of a free press for both the quality of democracy and for security.

"Professional, balanced and high-quality journalism, in which there is a clear distinction between reporting the facts and commentary, is essential to the democratic process," the Chairman-in-Office said.

He noted that full media freedom was still not guaranteed in all OSCE countries. "In some cases, pluralistic public discussion is confined to the print press. There is a need to ensure a plurality of ownership in the broadcast media while transforming state television into independent public institutions," Minister Rupel said.

Regretting the use of criminal libel laws in some countries to restrict press freedom, the Chairman-in-Office said libel should be a matter for the civil courts.