OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

Description

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media is the world’s only intergovernmental media freedom watchdog, covering all 57 participating states of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

The Representative observes media developments, gives early warning of violations of free expression, and promotes media freedom and pluralism across the OSCE region. Work includes offering expert advice on media regulation and legislation, promoting safe working conditions for journalists, and recommending the decriminalization of defamation. Where serious violations occur, the Representative contacts the state involved, assesses the facts, and helps resolve the problem, drawing on information from participating states, non-governmental organizations and media organizations.

The Representative reports and makes statements regularly to the OSCE Permanent Council and issues a yearly joint declaration on worldwide free expression concerns. The office is based in Vienna, Austria. The first Representative took up the post in 1998, and the position has since been held by officials from Germany, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Portugal and, currently, Norway.