OSCE media freedom

Honouring the memory of brave Serbian journalist, @FoNetNews founder & editor-in-chief, Zoran Sekulić. His unwavering commitment to ethical, independent reporting leaves a lasting legacy. My heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends & colleagues.

I welcome Nova Broadcasting Group’s recent withdrawal of its court case against journalists Svetlana Bozhilova and Kalin Manolov in #Bulgaria and its commitment to discussing ethical journalism in its programming.

“Societies with free media are better equipped to address tensions before they escalate,” I said at yesterday’s @OSCE Human Dimension Committee Meeting. “Media freedom is not a perk of democracy. It is not an optional component of open societies. It is a necessary precondition.”

I held constructive meetings this week with the Ambassadors of 🇰🇬 and 🇮🇪 @IrelandOSCE. We discussed legal issues, SLAPPs disinformation, best practices and our collaborative efforts to advance #MediaFreedom across the #OSCE region.

The attempted bomb attack on journalist Yannis Pretenteris in #Greece is a grave act of intimidation against #MediaFreedom. I join the condemnations by 🇬🇷 government, political parties, journalist associations & commend the swift reaction by the police & counter-terrorism unit.

My joint statement with @OSCE_Serbia regarding recent threats to journalists in #Serbia 👇

Thank you to all speakers, moderators, #OSCE field operations and participants for joining our 10th South East Europe Media Conference in Sarajevo 🇧🇦. Your work & commitment are essential to our collaborative efforts to protect and advance #MediaFreedom in the region. #SEEMC2025

Recently, I attended several meetings and events discussing the #SafetyofJournalists, regulatory frameworks, and the importance of having an inclusive and transparent approach to ensure respect for #OSCE #MediaFreedom commitments across the OSCE region.

Last week, I delivered opening remarks at the event “Ensuring Media Freedom and the Safety of Journalists During Wartime” organized by @Finland_OSCE and the Project Coordinator in Ukraine. International legal safeguards for protection of journalists must be consistently applied.

Episode 7 of our #SafetyofJournalists podcasts Digital Safety - From spyware to doxxing, digital threats are real. Policy researcher & digital rights expert Rustam Muhamedov joins us to unpack how to better protect journalists online. 🎧 Listen now 👇 soundcloud.com/osce/e7-digita…

Contribute to a Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression & Artificial Intelligence by Freedom of Expression Mandate Holders @OSCE_RFoM, @OAS_official, @_AfricanUnion & UN SR @Irenekhan. Share your insights on key challenges & opportunities by 28 July!👇 surveymonkey.com/r/JointDeclara…

I discussed media issues in #Serbia with the news outlet @KurirVesti.

I met with @anemedija, @scfondacija & @gradjanske in Belgrade. We talked about the selection process for the Council of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM). A transparent & equal application of the law is a vital precondition for a functional regulatory framework.

I had important discussions with @n1srbija regarding the difficult situation for the #SafetyofJournalists and #MediaFreedom in #Serbia.

The cases of @AbzasMedia, @toplum24tv, @MeydanTV and other imprisoned journalists show that pressure on journalists in #Azerbaijan is increasing and raise serious questions about the #MediaFreedom situation. I will engage with Azerbaijani authorities to seek remedies.

The recent release of @RFERL journalist Ihar Karnei from prison in #Belarus is a positive development. I encourage the authorities of Belarus to reconsider the detention of all media professionals with a view toward their release.

Over the past two weeks, I participated in several events and meetings discussing the #SafetyofJournalists, hate speech, media literacy, the vital role of independent public service media, regulatory bodies & other #MediaFreedom topics important for democratic governance.

Are you at #IGF2025? Join us tomorrow to explore the key role of journalism for information integrity. We are looking forward to discussing how alternative platforms can contribute to healthy online information spaces - together with @IMSforfreemedia, @dw_akademie & @ComuNICbr.