Norwegian Ambassador to the OSCE Anne-Kirsti Karlsen gives a statement on safety of journalists on behalf of 16 participating States
Mr. Chair, I am delivering this statement on behalf of the informal Group of Friends on Safety of Journalists, which consists of the following participating States: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Yesterday, on the 3rd of May, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day. Three decades ago, the members of the UN decided to devote a day to the importance of press freedom. This day we commemorate the bravery of journalists and other media actors who strive to uncover the truth. For 30 years, this day has also served as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and to do their utmost to ensure the safety of journalists and media actors.
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Mr. Chair, we are witnessing a worrying rise in abuse online, with a disproportionate targeting of women journalists, with harassment, threats, and reprisals. Online attacks have a chilling effect on women’s participation in the media, and in society. We must ensure a safe environment for all journalists and media actors, both online and offline.
Journalists play a crucial role in holding governments and institutions to account while informing the public about matters of public interest. It is crucial that journalists are able to work independently and without fear of harassment, intimidation, or persecution. When peace and security come under threat, so do media freedom and democracy. And when media freedom and democracy are threatened, so is peace and security.
Mr. Chair, as participating States of the OSCE, we have all affirmed and reaffirmed that freedom of expression and media freedom are cornerstones of our common security. To protect the safety of journalists is to protect the freedom of expression and media freedom. We call on all participating States, to take the necessary steps to implement our OSCE commitments to media freedom, and the safety of journalists.
Thank you.
Editor's Note: Whenever the government uses events or speeches to decry Russia when it fails to address its own wrong behaviour, we will not be a conduit for that propaganda. It is for that reason that a larger portion of this speech was deleted.