WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following hearing:
IN PURSUIT OF TRUTH
Media Freedom in the OSCE Region
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
2:30pm
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Room 419
Watch live: www.youtube.com/HelsinkiCommission
A free press is the lifeblood of democracy; without independent media, democracy is doomed, economies suffer, and peace is imperiled.
In many of the 57 participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), autocrats exploit financial and legal means, alongside physical violence, to intimidate and silence independent media. Journalists and their associates are attacked both online and offline; jailed on phony charges; and even killed for the secrets they expose. Leaders undermine public trust in the press to hide their misdeeds. Disinformation—particularly lies related to the COVID-19 pandemic—continues to pollute the information landscape.
In her first appearance before Congress, OSCE Representative for Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro will assess the state of media freedom across the OSCE region. Other expert witnesses will discuss recent attacks on journalists and media outlets, the motivations that lead authorities to try and silence the press, global disinformation networks, and more.
The following witnesses are scheduled to testify:
- Teresa Ribeiro, Representative on Freedom of the Media, OSCE
- Jamie Fly, President & CEO, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
- Robert Mahoney, Deputy Executive Director, Committee to Protect Journalists
- Peter Pomerantsev, Director of Arena Program and Senior Fellow, Johns Hopkins University; Author and Journalist
