OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

I urge the Republika Srpska National Assembly to refrain from adopting the “foreign agent” law & take action to protect media & NPOs, in line with #BiH's international human rights obligations & OSCE #MediaFreedom commitments. Any legislative process should be open & inclusive.

Yesterday’s death of journalist Tatiana Kulyk in Kyiv Oblast as a result of a Russian drone attack is a stark reminder of the terrible consequences of war for civilians and journalists.
I extend my condolences to her family and colleagues.

Are you taking part in #RightsCon2025?

If so, follow the activities of the @OSCE_RFoM Office:

1⃣ Workshop on information (spaces) integrity;
2⃣ Session on wartime censorship;
3⃣ Consultation on our Media & Big Tech Initiative.

More info about our work 👇
https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/581821

Too many journalists and media workers have lost their lives as a consequence of Russia’s war against Ukraine. I encourage the fulfilment of #OSCE commitments, including MC Decision 3/18 in ensuring journalists on all sides can carry out their jobs freely and safely.

Seven years ago today, investigative journalist Ján Kuciak was murdered in #Slovakia alongside his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, for seeking the truth. The mastermind is still at large. Journalists must be protected, not silenced.

In Ministerial Council Decision 3/18 on #SafetyofJournalists, OSCE participating States have committed to “take effective measures to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists”. They must adhere to these commitments.

Yesterday at the @oscepa Winter Meeting, @OSCE_RFoM Ambassador Jan Braathu addressed the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions

Independent journalism plays a crucial role in countering electoral misinformation, I said yesterday at a side event on #SafetyofJournalists, organized by my Office on the margins of the @oscepa Winter Meeting in Vienna.

More info about our project👇
osce.org/node/531944

Today we held the second expert roundtable on Media & Big Tech focusing on the visibility of journalistic content in the age of platform dominance & AI.
Key themes:

🔴Visibility policies;
🔴Media privileges;
🔴Risks and safeguards.

Visibility policies – ranging from labels and prominence rules to must carry obligations – can help prioritize public interest information. Media privileges could be a key tool to ensure that quality journalism is more accessible online.

In order to strengthen the democratic discourse while preventing any misuse by Big Tech or States, visibility policies and privileges should be developed in a transparent & multi-stakeholder process, ensuring self-regulatory mechanisms and strong safeguards.

Stay tuned and follow our work on Media and Beg Tech 👇
https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/581821

OSCE and international standards clearly point to the need to take measures to restrict speech that incites hate and discrimination.
There is no freedom to incite hatred and violence.

📰My full speech from the #OSCE Antisemitism Conference 👇

https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/8/9/585694.pdf

AI shapes our information landscape based on Big Tech’s business priorities, amplifying harmful content, including hate & antisemitism. We need healthy information spaces, rooted in #MediaFreedom & public interest, said @barbara_trionfi at the #OSCE Antisemitism Conference.

Good to meet with @SallaNazarenko from @Journ_liitto & colleagues from Helsingin Sanomat @hsfi in #Helsinki. We discussed the increasingly complex working & economic environment for journalists & edited media, as well as the influence of Big Tech on #MediaFreedom.

📍#Helsinki 🇫🇮
.@OSCE_RFoM Ambassador Jan Braathu delivered remarks today at the conference on Addressing Anti-Semitism in the #OSCE region, organized by @Finland_OSCE.

📽️ Last week I conducted my official visit to 🇳🇴. Good exchange of ideas on how to support #MediaFreedom as an integral part of #OSCE's comprehensive approach to security.👇

.@OSCE_RFoM Ambassador Jan Braathu concludes official visit to Norway. Press release👇

https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/585184

Today I had a constructive meeting with @NorwayMFA @EspenBarthEide focusing on:
➡️Norway's strong political & financial support for @OSCE_RFoM;
➡️Impact of geopolitical challenges on human rights, peace & security;
➡️Good practices in promoting #MediaFreedom across the #OSCE.

I urge for the immediate release of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli whose health condition is a cause of great concern. I reiterate that the Government of #Georgia should unconditionally release all journalists who have been arbitrarily arrested or detained.

Perpetrators of violent attacks against journalists reporting from demonstrations should be investigated and held accountable in line with Ministerial Council Decision 3/18 on the #SafetyofJournalists.

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Jan Braathu joined Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and other high-level
OSCE – The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe officials at the inaugural Permanent Council Meeting today in Vienna.👇