Media Freedom remains a vital component of shared security: UK statement to the OSCE
Ambassador Neil Holland recalls the vital contribution of media freedom to security in the OSCE region, and calls on Russia and Belarus to live up to their OSCE commitments.
Thank you Chair, and welcome back to the Permanent Council Madam Ribeiro. Thank you for your report.聽
We firmly believe that media freedom remains a vital component of our shared security.聽 It underpins democratic institutions and is fundamental to the protection of individual human rights.聽Conversely, disinformation leads to polarisation and makes societies around the world less secure.聽聽
We remain a strong supporter of your mandate and commend your personal commitment to ensuring resolute action at a time of increasing challenges.聽The UK has a long history of defending media freedom and holding those who abuse or restrict it to account. We founded the Media Freedom Coalition together with Canada in 2019. We know that securing media freedom requires continued investment and effort in all participating States.聽 Our International Development White Paper, published just this week, repeats our commitment to the principle of media freedom.聽
We were pleased to welcome you to the UK during your visit in October 2023.聽This was an important opportunity to take stock of progress on our recently updated National Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists, to discuss new UK legislation on online safety and to curb the chilling effect of Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation on pluralism and media freedom.聽聽聽聽聽
We look forward to continued co-operation, including sharing the UK鈥檚 experience of media regulation in a dynamic online environment.聽聽
Mr Chair, the wider picture for media freedom remains dismal.聽As you note in your report, Madam Ribeiro, journalists and other media workers face torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, intimidation and harassment in many parts of the OSCE region.聽聽聽聽
Moreover, and too often, states have criminalised journalism itself.聽At least 14 journalists have been killed in Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine. Russia continues to persecute dissenting voices in Ukrainian territory under its temporary control, as it has been doing in Crimea since 2014.聽
This year鈥檚 Moscow Mechanism report found that freedom of expression in Belarus has been grievously undermined.聽Legislation can target any independent voice, particularly critics of government or of Russia鈥檚 illegal war in Ukraine. Anyone who administers social media networks or communication channels for listed so-called 鈥渆xtremists鈥� can face serious charges, even of terrorism.聽聽聽
Such actions are not compatible with participating States鈥� obligations under international law and their OSCE commitments.聽The UK once again calls on Russia and Belarus to live up to their OSCE principles and commitments, to enable freedom for the media to report on matters of public interest without undue interference, threats and intimidation.聽聽聽
In closing, I would again like to thank you again Theresa for your commitment to your mandate and your professionalism in the defence of media freedom.聽The UK will continue to reiterate in this Council and beyond the importance of free media for human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law.