OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO

UNCLAS STATE 071287

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL OSCE
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO
REPRESENTATIVE ON THE FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA HARASZTI


1. (U) Post is authorized to present the following statement
at the July 3rd Permanent Council meeting in Vienna.

Begin text:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

And thank you, Mr. Haraszti, for your report, which we
believe merits very serious consideration by the
participating States. You quite rightly note two trends that
are greatly disturbing for the cause of freedom of
expression. These trends run through much of the discussion
in your report of individual country circumstances.

The first and most salient trend involves actual violence
against media workers and threats against them -- and,
indeed, in some instances against their family members as
well. Each of our governments has a solemn responsibility to
protect journalists. This goes beyond simply restraining
state security forces and regime supporters from criminal
action against those who publish or broadcast information
that those elements would seek to keep out of the public
spotlight. It involves creating a climate of physical
security and respect for independent opinion that is like
oxygen for the existence of media freedom. As you point out,
Mr. Haraszti, violence against journalists is not &crime as
usual,8 precisely because it is meant to undermine a basic
institution of democracy -- the free press.

The second disturbing trend is undue restriction of free
speech and reporting. This takes many forms. The worst one
is the mistreatment, harassment and imprisonment of
journalists on trumped up charges of personal misbehavior or
prosecution for criminal libel, which are used to silence
writers who run afoul of government officials. As you have
noted many times, libel law in the criminal code poses a
serious risk, because it can easily be misused to punish and
intimidate media. The United States recognizes the good work
that you and your staff have done campaigning against these
abuses. We commend the Office of the Representative on
Freedom of the Media for its unrelenting efforts both in
helping states reform laws and practices and in holding a
spotlight on each case of abuse.

Let us remember that the Representative on Freedom of the
Media holds a unique place in international institutions.
Your report bears witness to the broad nature of your mandate
as an unrestricted advocate for free media. Your office,s
persistent call for the righting of wrongs and for
legislative reforms in many of our participating States,
including adoption of media shield legislation at the federal
level in my own country, attests to your independence of
judgment, and adds weight to your findings.

Mr. Chairman, the United States hopes that each country cited
for concerns about safety of journalists and elemental
conditions for freedom of expression will address the
findings in this report and implement the necessary changes
to allow free media to develop and thrive. The cases cited in
this report are well-documented, and Mr. Haraszti,s findings
deserve careful consideration.

The history of our OSCE region teaches that mutual security
without open, free-thinking societies is illusory. Only with
free media can civil society blossom and democratic,
successful governance be sustained. Let us not forget that
our common vision of this essential truth is what underlies
the mandate of Mr. Haraszti,s office.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE