OSCE Representative lauds steps made to improve media freedom in Mongolia
ULAANBAATAR, 6 May 2015 – Ending a five-day visit to Ulaanbaatar, her first official visit to the newest OSCE participating State, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said Mongolia has taken major steps to reach today’s level of media freedom. At the same time, she also stressed the importance for continued efforts to further advance and support free media in the country.
“Mongolia has in many ways taken on a regional leadership with regard to free media and the authorities’ commitment to these issues is promising,” Mijatović said.
During her visit, the Representative met with the speaker of the Mongolian Parliament, Zandaakhüügiin Enkhbold, and Foreign Minister, Lundeg Purevsuren. She also met a number of other senior officials, including member of Parliament Migeddorj Batchimeg, the head of the Communications Regulatory Commission in Mongolia (CRC) Batsukh Balgansuren, and the chairman of the Information technology, Post and Telecommunications Authority, Tsaagaan-Uvgun Jadambaa.
In addition, Mijatovic also held meetings with Mongolian journalists and NGO’s and met with the Chairperson of the Mongolian Media council, Chinbat Nomin, and other representatives of the council to discuss current and future challenges to free media in Mongolia.
In her discussions with the authorities, Mijatović positively noted the establishment of the first independent media council and stressed the importance of continued support for this self-regulatory institution. She also stressed the importance of making the CRC a truly independent regulator.
“Even though Mongolia has proved a record of progress towards media freedom, there are still a number of issues that have to be dealt with,” Mijatović said. “The financial sustainability and editorial independence of the public service broadcaster must increase and the transparency of media ownership in Mongolia must be clearer.”
The Representative noted the upcoming discussion on the new draft Law on Freedom of the Media in the Mongolian Parliament that contains provisions requiring more ownership transparency and guarantees of editorial independence.
In her meetings with the authorities, Mijatović also emphasized the importance of decriminalizing defamation in order to avoid self-censorship. Furthermore, she said that public officials in all OSCE participating States should show restraint and tolerance to criticism, and pointed to the importance of politicians and public figures refraining from pressing charges against journalists and bloggers.
Mijatović positively noted the progress on the digital switchover and the efforts to provide access to the Internet to all. At the same time, she emphasized that blacklists should not be used as a tool to regulate Internet content and offered her Office’s assistance in this matter.
“There are strong and clear efforts made to keep the Internet open and accessible to all citizens in Mongolia,” she said.
On May 3, the Representative participated in a roundtable discussion in Ulaanbaatar marking the World Press Freedom Day organized by UNESCO, Open Society Forum, Globe International Centre and Austrian Embassy in Beijing. The discussion focused on journalists safety and gathered many journalists and representatives from media organizations.
In addition, Mijatović participated in the fifth Freedom Online Coalition conference in Ulaanbaatar, hosted by the Mongolian government, on May 4 and 5. The Representative spoke at the conference’s framing plenary panel, which focused on progressive policy making for states. She also participated in a panel discussion on the need for a multi-stakeholder co-operation on transparency.
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.