Freedom of the media is the fundamental right of various forms of media—including print, radio, television, and online media—to operate freely in society without government control, restriction, or censorship. In the Helsinki Final Act, OSCE participating States recognized the essential and influential role of press and media, and commited themselves to improving access to information and working conditions for journalists.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media works to ensure the safety of journalists, assist with the development of media pluralism online and offline, and hold participating States accountable for any economic, legal, and extralegal measures to restrict independent journalists and outlets.
Helsinki Commissioners have paid particular attention to the problem of impunity for those who murder journalists, attacks on or imprisonment of journalists for their professional activities, disinformation in the OSCE region, and provisions of laws that inherently violate free speech norms including criminal defamation and insult laws.
Staff Contact: Jordan Warlick, policy advisor
