OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

Startseite
Österreich
Wien
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

Anrufen Wegbeschreibung Website Service kontaktieren

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States.

She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and promotes full compliance with OSCE press freedom commitments. The official page of the OSCE RFoM is maintained by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

02/11/2026

On the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, my Office organized the event “Addressing impunity in Crimes against Journalists: Exchanging Good Practices to Strengthen Accountability”, in Vienna.

“The International Day to End Impunity is marked today, but our work must continue every day. Every case matters. Every investigation matters. Justice must reach not only those who carry out crimes, but everyone responsible for them. My Office will continue to support participating States in implementing their commitments, sharing good practices and strengthening the safety of journalists”, said Ambassador Jan Braathu.

Thank you, Corinne Vella, Jamie Wiseman, Karin Peluffo, Mihailo Jovovic, Mylène Girardeau, Peter ter Velde and Tom Gibson for your invaluable contribution to our discussions.

02/11/2026

On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we must recall that impunity is not simply a failure of justice. It undermines freedom of expression, weakens public trust, and emboldens those who seek to silence independent voices.

When attacks against journalists go unpunished, the consequences extend far beyond the individual victim. They strike at the foundations of democracy, security, and peace.

According to OSCE commitments and in particular according to the pledges contained in Ministerial Council Decision 3/18 on the Safety of journalists, participating States should conduct “prompt, independent, impartial, and effective investigations,” bring perpetrators to justice, and protect journalists at risk. “Prevention, protection, and prosecution must go hand in hand.”

Today, let us turn our shared commitments into concrete results. Let us ensure that every attack is taken seriously, every investigation pursued, and every victim’s right to justice respected.

Journalists serve the public by seeking and reporting the truth. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that they can do so freely, safely, and without fear.

We should never forget journalists whose lives were taken. Silence and impunity must never be the price of journalism.

29/10/2026

I commend UNESCO's Global Media and Information Literacy Week and its message: “We all play a part.” Journalists have a vital role in this shared endeavour.

Media and information literacy is a year-round priority for my Office across the OSCE region. I and my team have spoken about its importance at various events including the OSCE Media Literacy conference, in Kyiv, our annual South-East Europe Media Conference in Tirana, and the World Press Freedom Day conference in Dushanbe.

Information reaches us faster than ever but making sense of it still requires judgement. Ethical journalism helps us understand what we can trust, and why. Media literacy strengthens this capacity in all of us—and with it, our ability to take an informed part in public life.

It also means understanding why independent journalism matters—and why journalists must be free to ask questions and report without undue interference.

Earlier this month in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, I opened a training on media literacy and ethical journalism. Our starting point was the newsroom: checking evidence, questioning our own assumptions and understanding how external pressures shape editorial decisions.
Whatever tools a newsroom uses, including AI, the final editorial check must remain the responsibility of journalists who apply professional ethical standards. Responsibility for accuracy, protecting sources and serving the public interest cannot be delegated to technology.

We all play a part. Journalists contribute by reporting independently, explaining their methods and correcting mistakes—helping audiences make informed judgements and understand the value of media freedom.

29/10/2026

Yesterday at the OSCE’s Regional Police-Media Conference: Advancing Dialogue on Preventing and Addressing Gender-Based Violence, I said that effective police-media co-operation must be grounded in mutual understanding and respect for their distinct roles and responsibilities.

Clear and constructive communication can facilitate accurate reporting, helps protect sensitive information and reduces the risk of further harm to those affected by violence. Co-operation must never come at the expense of editorial independence or legitimate journalistic scrutiny.

24/10/2026

My Office co-organized this academic year’s first session on “Human security in a fragmented world and the age of emerging technologies” in Milan this week. Journalists’ safety is integral to human security and .

22/10/2026

One year ago, my Office launched the Policy Manual on Safeguarding Media Freedom in the Age of Big Tech Platforms and AI, aiming to support OSCE participating States in ensuring the availability and accessibility of public interest journalism and reliable information in the digital era.

Over the past year, the RFoM Office worked on the implementation of the Manual, in close co-operation with the OSCE Field Operations, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and participating States. The Policy Manual has been made available in eight languages and we are developing regional roadmaps for its implementation.

In order to take stock of recent developments, my Office Office is currently working on a one-year-on assessment on key learnings regarding media visibility, viability and vigilance, as a basis for further steps towards a healthier online information ecosystem.

Read the Manual
👇

Adresse

WallnerStr. 6
Wien
1010

Telefon

Office: +43 1 514 36 6800

Website

https://rfom.osce.org/

Benachrichtigungen

Erfahren Sie als Erste/r von Neuigkeiten und Aktionen: Wir schicken Ihnen eine E-Mail, wenn OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media etwas veröffentlicht. Ihre E-Mail-Adresse wird für keinen anderen Zweck verwendet, und Sie können sich jederzeit abmelden.