OSCE media freedom representative to open panel discussion in Vienna on combating impunity for murders of journalists

VIENNA, 5 December 2017 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir will open a panel discussion on the challenges to media freedom caused by the impunity for murders of journalists next Monday, 11 December in Vienna.

The event, “Impunity of murders of journalists: A challenge to freedom of the media”, is organized by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media in co-operation with the Media Governance and Industries Research Lab at the Department of Communication of the University of Vienna.

The discussion will gather experts from across the OSCE region to discuss the practical, methodological and ethical dilemmas in monitoring the deaths of journalists and collecting information on such cases. It will explore the ways in which improvements and amendments to current practices might benefit the ability of the OSCE and the international community at large to enhance journalists’ safety.

Among others, experts from the Council of Europe, UNESCO, Reporters without Borders, the International Federation of Journalists, the European Federation of Journalists, the Association of European Journalists, Article 19, Committee to Protect Journalists and Index on Censorship will participate.

The working languages will be English and Russian with simultaneous interpretation. 

As well as OSCE Representative Désir, opening remarks will also be delivered by Katharine Sarikakis, Professor of Media Industries, Media Organisation and Media Governance at the University of Vienna.

The agenda and more information about the event can be found here: www.osce.org/fom/356716

Representatives of the media are invited to cover the event from 10:00 to 16.00 on 11 December 2017 in the Neuer Saal of the Hofburg Conference Centre. Media representatives wishing to attend are kindly asked to register by sending an email to anna.lundbladh@osce.org by 12:00 noon, Friday, 8 December 2017.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He 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.