Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting (SHDM) II on Freedom of Expression, Media and Information

When

22 June 2020, 15:00 - 23 June 2020, 17:30

Where

Online event (CET/ GMT+2 time zone)

Organized by

Albanian OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Representative on Freedom of Media, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)

The second Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting of 2020 provided a platform for an exchange of views among OSCE participating States, OSCE institutions and other executive structures and a variety of international organizations, civil society and other stakeholders on the implementation of commitments related to addressing the promotion freedom of expression, media and information.

Background

The acknowledgment of human rights and fundamental freedoms as an essential factor for peace and security in Europe has been at the center of OSCE commitments since the Helsinki Act 1975. In 1997, the participating States entrusted the Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) with a mandate to assist them, observe media freedom developments and respond to “serious non-compliance with OSCE principles and commitments by participating States in respect of freedom of expression and free media”. They committed themselves to “take every opportunity offered by modern means of communication […] to increase the freer and wider dissemination of information of all kinds” and called for the internet to remain “an open and public forum for freedom of opinion and expression”.

The implementation gap between existing commitments and national action remains challenging until today. Particularly in these times of crisis, the free flow of information, when unhindered by threats, intimidation or penalties, can protect life and health. It also enables and promotes critical social, economic, political and other policy discussions and decision-making.

The second Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting (SHDM) assessd the efforts made by participating States in addressing the promotion of these freedoms. It served as a platform to discuss possible restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of the media, which should always be prescribed by law and be consistent with international law and standards.

Discussions also addressed public interest disclosures and whistleblowing, for instance in case of human rights violations, and the impact of restrictions on access to information on national security grounds, which may undermine the watchdog role of civil society and the media in increasing public accountability for adverse human rights implications of participating States’ policies.

Multi-stakeholder engagement on national activities to protect journalists and safeguard media freedom was also on the agenda, including focusing on ways to bring national laws, policies and practices, pertaining to media freedom, fully in compliance with international obligations and commitments, so that they do not limit the ability of journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference.

It is necessary for all participating States to ensure that human rights are upheld, also during this, and any other, crisis. The current complex situation not only presents a challenge, but also creates an opportunity for new, tailored and improved approaches to addressing issues of freedom of expression.

Participants

Representatives of OSCE participating States, OSCE institutions and OSCE executive structures, those of inter-governmental organizations, civil society and researchers from 57 participating States that have relevant experience in the topic participated in the SHDM. The Partners for Co-operation were also invited to attend and contribute with respect to their co-operation and links with the OSCE in the field.