Communiqué by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media on denial of entry of journalists from one OSCE participating State to another
Over recent years the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media has reacted on a number of occasions when an OSCE participating States denied entry to journalists from other countries. Following recent instances where journalists from Russia were denied entry into Ukraine, as well as reports of de facto authorities in Crimea denying entry to a number of journalists crossing the border of the peninsula, the Representative would like to restate her position on this issue.
In the Helsinki Final Act, participating States agreed to improve the conditions under which journalists from one participating State practice their profession in other participating States. They, inter alia, committed to “ease, on a basis of reciprocity, procedures for arranging travel by journalists of the participating States in the country where they are exercising their profession, and to provide progressively greater opportunities for such travel, subject to the observance of regulations relating to the existence of areas closed for security reasons.” The participating States also affirmed that “the legitimate pursuit of their professional activity will neither render journalists liable to expulsion nor otherwise penalize them.”
Unfortunately, based on numerous examples, too many participating States are not honoring these words.
While respecting the sovereign right of participating States to control their borders, I have serious concerns about undue limitations on such travel which affects the free flow of information and free media.
Particularly worrying is the current situation related to the crisis in Ukraine. On several occasions I have addressed Ukrainian authorities and I also called on those responsible in Crimea to stop this unacceptable practice. Once again I call on all those responsible to consider their relevant policies and instructions and to stop using media and journalists for advancing their political agendas. They, instead, should facilitate the work of journalists from other countries and abstain from creating administrative obstacles to the entry.
The media plays a vital role during the times of crisis and it can also play a positive role by obtaining information, improving the understanding of the situation between nations and preventing further escalation of tensions. By arbitrary denying entry to journalists, governments are obstructing free media and the exchange of information.
I encourage participating States to fulfil their OSCE commitments and refrain from any steps to restrict the free flow of information. In addition, journalists negatively affected by denials of entry should be given the opportunity to appeal.
Dunja Mijatović
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Vienna, 3 April 2014
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 facebook.com/osce.rfom.