The Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media is the world's only inter-governmental media oversight body.
The institution was established in 1997 based on OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 193 and is based at the OSCE headquarters in Vienna.
The mandate of the Representative is to monitor media developments in all OSCE participating States and to promote full respect for their principles and commitments on freedom of expression and media freedom.
The Representative has an early warning function and responds promptly to violations of freedom of expression and media freedom in the OSCE region. The Representative's responsibilities include the protection of journalists, dealing with cases of media misconduct and creating an unfavorable working environment for journalists.
The Representative regularly reports on issues related to media freedom and freedom of expression in the OSCE region. The aim is to promote fuller implementation of relevant OSCE principles and commitments and to enhance the effectiveness of joint action by participating States based on shared values.
The Representative plays a leading role in informing the public about the deteriorating situation regarding the safety of journalists and periodically makes presentations on the subject.
The Representative's tasks are:
♦ Defending journalists in cases of harassment;
♦ Promoting pluralism in broadcasting, print and new media;
♦ Facilitating dialogue among journalists' associations;
♦ Providing opportunities to address issues of propaganda and fake news;
♦ Holding conferences in the OSCE area;
♦ Countering incitement to terrorism and deliberate and aggressive hate speech, while preserving freedom of expression;
♦ Supporting efforts to decriminalize defamation;
♦ Protection of media freedom on the Internet;
♦ Conducting legal expertise to assist participating States in reforming media legislation.
♦ Strengthening the role of public service broadcasters;
♦ Promoting self-regulatory mechanisms;
♦ Facilitating access to government information;
♦ Protecting journalists' right to maintain confidentiality of sources of information.
From 1998 to 2004. The representative was Freimut Duve (FRG). From 2004 to 2010. - Miklós Haraszti (Hungary). From 2010 to 2017 - Dunja Mijatović (Bosnia and Herzegovina). From 2017 to 2020 - Arlem Désir (France). From 2020. The representative is Teresa Ribeiro (Portugal).
Recent major meetings and events with the Institute
♦ On 13 September 2021, during her visit to the capital of Kazakhstan, Representative T. Ribeiro met with the Head of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs M.Tleuberdi. They discussed the situation of foreign journalists in Kazakhstan and other issues relating to freedom of the media.
♦ On September 16, 2021 the Representative spoke at the XVII Eurasian Media Forum in Nur-Sultan.
♦ On January 19, 2022, during a working visit to Vienna, the Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Representative on Freedom of the Media about the situation at the beginning of the year in Kazakhstan. The results of the four packages of legislative initiatives of the President of Kazakhstan in the field of human rights protection, the electoral process and democratization were also presented.
♦ On December 06, 2022 during a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, R.Vassilenko, the Kazakh diplomat congratulated Representative T.Ribeiro on the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Institute.