Repeated threats and vandalism against newspaper in Germany unacceptable, OSCE Representative says

VIENNA, 12 September 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said the recent series of threats and vandalism against the editorial offices of the daily German newspaper Lausitzer Rundschau are unacceptable and must be stopped.

“These threats and acts of vandalism must be stopped and I am confident that the authorities will take the necessary precautions to ensure the journalists’ safety,” Mijatović said.

In the past week the facades of two regional offices of Lausitzer Rundschua in Spremberg and Lübbenau have been daubed with graffiti containing threats as well as fascist and anti-Semitic symbols. The newspaper was also the target of similar attacks in 2012.

“I welcome the condemnation of these attacks from the highest level of the German authorities in Brandenburg state and trust that these incidents will be swiftly and thoroughly investigated,” Mijatović said.

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.