OSCE media freedom representative delivers report on cartoon controversy

VIENNA, 17 February 2006 - Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, yesterday delivered a report to the OSCE Permanent Council on the current media freedom issues in the OSCE region, including an analysis of the recent cartoon controversy.

"The debate should not pit freedom of speech against more respect and more care. Enhanced awareness of Muslim culture, and better responsiveness to global imperatives in the editorial work, should come as an addendum to free speech, not as a restriction on it. It should be made very clear that only a completely free press can be a responsible press," the report points out.

The report also reflects on the work of the Office of the Representative in Azerbaijan, Georgia the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova (including the Transdniestrian region), and Ukraine, and outlines the events the Office plans to organize in 2006, which include regional media conferences and Internet-related issues.