OSCE Media Freedom Representative pays tribute to killed journalists of Capital Gazette on one-year anniversary

VIENNA, 28 June 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, paid tribute today to the killed journalists of the media outlet the Capital Gazette on the first anniversary of the horrific shooting in Maryland, USA.

On 28 June 2018, a man opened fire inside the newspaper’s headquarters, killing five people, including four journalists and one staff member. The shooter was later apprehended and currently faces trial, with the next court hearing due to take place in November.

Veteran 59-year-old editor Robert Hiaasen, 61-year-old page editor Gerald Fischman, 65-year-old editor Wendi Winters, 55-year-old staff writer John McNamara, and 34-year-old sales assistant Rebecca Smith were killed in the attack.

“One year on, we must not forget the five of the Capital Gazette. They were killed as journalists, because of their work to inform the public,” stated Désir. “This is a reminder of the level of threats against the press which must be protected more than ever as a cornerstone of democracy.”

The Representative also recalled the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on Safety of Journalists, adopted last December, stating that “the adoption of this important Decision shows that safety of journalists cannot be taken for granted in the OSCE region. This crime is an example of why more must be done to ensure journalists can work in a safe environment. Freedom of the media is a key pillar of democracy and a piece of that pillar crumbles with every killing of a journalist.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more atwww.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.