State of Media Freedom in the OSCE Region

Journalists working in the 57 participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) are facing increased risks to their lives and safety. According to a new report released the Office of the Representative for Freedom of the Media, in the first six months of 2019, two journalists have been killed and an additional 92 attacks and threats—including one bombing, three shootings, and seven arson attacks—have targeted members of the media.

In his first appearance before Congress, OSCE Representative for Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir assessed the fragile state of media freedom within the OSCE region. Mr. Desir also addressed the number of imprisoned media professionals as well as the violence, threats, and intimidation directed toward female journalists. The hearing explored the threat posed by disinformation and online content designed to provoke violence and hate.

After the hearing, there was a viewing of  A Dark Place, a documentary about the online safety of women journalists and the direct impact it has to the quality of our democracies and right of society to access a plurality of information. Prior to the viewing, indroductory remarks were given by Harlem Désir, Representative on Freedom of the Media, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE); Courtney C. Radsch, Advocacy Director, Committee to Protect Journalists; Thomas Friang, Head of Advocacy Global Division, Reporters sans Frontières; Camille Eiss, Chief of Global Partnerships and Policy, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP); and Martins Zvaners, Deputy Director, Media and Public Affairs, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).