VIENNA, 18 October 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, denounced today an incident targeting N1 journalists in Serbia.

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PRESS RELEASE

OSCE Media Freedom Representative voices concern over targeting of N1 journalists in Serbia, calls on authorities to bring perpetrators to justice

VIENNA, 18 October 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, denounced today an incident targeting N1 journalists in Serbia.

On 14 October, two masked persons threw several hundred leaflets into the yard of the N1 premises in Belgrade stating: “Goodbye Republic of Serbia, N1 Welcome to Luxembourg”. According to media reports, a police investigation has already been launched.

“I strongly denounce any attempt or action that could endanger journalists’ safety. Targeting media professionals with the intent of presenting them as foreign mercenaries is a dangerous and unacceptable behavior, and must be met with condemnation and effective prosecution,” said Désir.

The Representative welcomed the swift reaction by the police in this case, urging them to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible. “Only an effective investigation will prevent future similar incidents, and enable all journalists to work in a safe environment and free from any kind of pressure,” Désir said.

The Representative recalled the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on Safety of Journalists adopted last December in Milan, underlining the need for all 57 OSCE participating States to implement it. Désir noted that, this year alone, N1 journalists have been threatened and targeted many times. In several incidents the Representative reacted publicly. (See the Representative’s previous statements here: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/410768; https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/415565)

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

For PDF attachments or links to sources of further information, please visit: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/436331

Contacts:

Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Wallnerstrasse 6
1010 Vienna
Austria
Office: +43 1 514 36 6800
Fax: +43 1 514 36 6802
[email protected]

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