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Threats to journalists cannot be tolerated

Politics

Threats to journalists cannot be tolerated, says OSCE Chairperson ahead of World Press Freedom Day

VILNIUS, 2 May 2011 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign
Minister Audronius Ažubalis, speaking ahead of World Press Freedom Day on 3
May, called for OSCE states to do more to protect journalists.

"Digital media in the 21st century have provided unprecedented
opportunities for freedom of expression and for accessing information, but
true freedom of the press remains hampered by the threat of violence against
journalists. Journalists across the OSCE region continue to be threatened,
harassed, physically attacked and even murdered simply for doing their
legitimate and vital jobs," said Ažubalis.

"We cannot tolerate these threats to the safety of journalists, nor the
chilling effect that such threats can have. OSCE participating States must do
more to fulfil their media freedom commitments and ensure that effective
legislation, law enforcement practices and judicial instruments are in place
to guarantee the safety of journalists."

Lithuania's OSCE Chairmanship and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the
Media will host a conference on the safety of journalists in the OSCE region
on 7 and 8 June in Vilnius.

For PDF attachments or links to sources of further information, please visit:
http://www.osce.org/cio/77261