Law further restricting speech in Russia might negatively affect freedoms of media and of information on Internet, says OSCE Representative
VIENNA, 14 December 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today conveyed his concern about a new draft law in Russia which can impose excessive restrictions on media and citizens using their right to free expression online.
On 12 December a set of draft laws was introduced to the State Duma that introduce administrative liability, including 15-day arrest, for online speech that expresses in an insulting way disrespect to society, state, official symbols, the Constitution, and public bodies. Another part of the suggested provisions entails administrative fines for dissemination in the media and online of deliberately untrue information that presents threats to life, health, mass public disorder, a break in public services, or has other serious effects.
In his letter to the Russian authorities the Representative noted that the restrictions outlined in the amendments are vaguely worded, which could increase the already high number of interventions by state authorities in online speech. “I call on the parliamentary deputies to carefully scrutinize the draft before adopting it into law and to fully evaluate its possible negative effects on the free flow of information,” Désir said.
“This law could result in greater interference in online freedom of expression by the authorities and increase the potential for self-censorship,” Désir said.
Désir noted concerns about the draft law expressed by industry experts, the media community and civil society in the Russian Federation.
The Representative also pointed to his Office’s recent recommendations put forward to OSCE participating States, in particular in the publication Media Freedom on the Internet: An OSCE Guidebook (www.osce.org/netfreedom-guidebook).
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.