OSCE Representative Désir met with Swedish Foreign Minister Wallström and media to discuss further co-operation in promoting media freedom

STOCKHOLM, 14 December 2017 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir, during his visit to Stockholm, discussed media freedom challenges in Sweden and the OSCE region.

“It is encouraging to see that freedom of expression, including media freedom, remains a high priority for the Government, on the national and multinational levels,” he said.

During his meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström, the Representative discussed challenges to media freedom in the OSCE region and the role of Sweden as a strong defender of human rights, including freedom of expression and the safety of journalists.

The Representative expressed appreciation for Sweden’s strong support for the Office of the OSCE Representative of Freedom of the Media.

“Sweden’s feminist foreign policy is well reflected in the support to our office. With Swedish support it has been possible to increase our efforts to promote the Safety Of Female Journalists Online (SOFJO) project, countering the growing problem of online threats and intimidation, with female journalists being specifically targeted,” said Désir.

Recalling the case of the Swedish-Turkish journalist Hamza Yalçın, who was arrested by the Spanish authorities in August this year on an international arrest warrant requested by Turkey, Désir said: “I am glad to see that he was never extradited to Turkey by Spanish authorities and that he could return safely. I share the view with Foreign Minister Wallström that Interpol should not be misused against journalists and media freedom.”

Désir also met with Minister for Culture and Democracy Alice Bah Kuhnke, and welcomed the Government’s decision to adopt an “Action Plan against hatred and threats against journalists, elected representatives and artists”. “Sweden is taking positive and concrete steps to counter hatred and threats against journalists,” said Désir.

The Representative also met Hans Dahlgren, State Secretary for International and EU Affairs to Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, and presented his priorities to the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).

During his visit, the Representative met with media professionals, representatives of journalists’ associations, Civil Rights Defenders, Public Press Ombudsman Ola Sigvardsson and the Chief Executive of public service broadcaster Sveriges Television Hanna Stjärne. He discussed the general media situation in the country and the OSCE region, current challenges and legislative reforms, including financing of public service broadcasting, and a Swedish pilot study aimed at strengthening awareness of the link between online hate campaigns against journalists and organized disinformation.

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 www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.