OSCE media watchdog hails UN resolution on journalists' protection

VIENNA, 4 January 2007 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, welcomed today the recent adoption of United Nations Resolution 1738 condemning attacks against journalists in conflict areas. The measure, unanimously adopted by the UN Security Council, comes amid numerous deadly attacks on media professionals, also in the OSCE area.

"At a time when journalists are facing increasing risks, this resolution is a necessary reminder to all governments of their obligations under international law to let media work freely. It is also a call to governments to fight against impunity too often enjoyed by those committing crimes against media professionals," Haraszti said.

"The UN resolution reasserts the fundamental principles of press freedom and the necessity of preventing violence against journalists and bringing to justice those responsible for these crimes. These are the precise principles that all OSCE participating States have committed themselves to follow since the 1975 Helsinki Final Act. It is a milestone that they are reinvigorated on a global scale by the UN Security Council."

But media can also be used to further inflame a volatile situation, and Resolution 1738 reaffirmed condemnation of all incitements to violence and the need to bring to justice those responsible for it.

UN Resolution 1738, introduced by France and Greece and adopted on 23 December 2006, condemns "deliberate attacks" against journalists and calls upon "all parties to put an end to such practices". It also recalls the Council's demand that "journalists, media professionals and associated personnel engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflicts shall be considered civilians, to be respected and protected as such."