Media Freedom: Safeguarding Journalist Safety

Table of Contents

The UK, alongside other nations, has issued a joint statement urging action to safeguard media freedom and journalist safety across the OSCE region.

This call comes amid escalating threats to to the media, including violence and legal harassment, particularly in Russia and Belarus where independent media faces severe restrictions.

Media Freedom: A Pillar of Democracy

Media freedom is essential for maintaining democratic security and stability. In the UK, a free press ensures transparency and accountability, which are vital for a healthy economy and society.

The erosion of media freedom can lead to distrust in institutions and potentially destabilize markets.

Challenges Facing Journalists

Increasing threats of physical violence against journalists
Legal harassment impacting journalistic work
Arbitrary detention of media personnel
Severe restrictions on independent media in Russia and Belarus
Lack of alignment with OSCE commitments by some countries

Ministers Comments

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra MP said:

“The Home Office Windrush scandal was an appalling injustice that should never have happened. People who had built their lives here and contributed so much to our country were wrongly treated as illegal immigrants in the place they called home.

This £1.5 million fund is a decisive step in our mission to right these wrongs. By providing dedicated advocacy support, we’re breaking down barriers and ensuring victims have a voice through every step of the compensation process.

We are determined that Windrush communities will finally receive the recognition and justice they deserve.”

The UK’s Role in Global Media Freedom Efforts

The UK has historically been a strong advocate for press freedom globally. It supports international initiatives aimed at protecting journalists from harassment and ensuring legal frameworks that support free expression.

This commitment aligns with broader international efforts to uphold democratic values.

The Economic Consequences of Media Restrictions

Restrictions on the media can have significant economic repercussions. This also plays a crucial role in exposing corruption and inefficiencies, which are essential for maintaining investor confidence and promoting economic growth.

Countries with higher levels of media freedom tend to experience stronger economic stability.

Ambassador Neil Holland’s Speech

Full speech exactly as delivered in Vienna.

“Thank you Mr Chair. And welcome back to the Permanent Council in your new capacity, dear Jan.

In this fiftieth anniversary year, I want to start with the Helsinki Final Act. In 1975 our predecessors accepted citizens’ right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas. Free, independent and pluralistic media should be at the heart of our societies and our shared security. Sadly we are still far from realising our predecessors’ ambition when it comes to media freedom and other fundamental freedoms in our region.

We believe early warning sits at the core of your mandate. We welcome your public statements on recent cases of concern and, in particular, take this opportunity to express our concern about the case of Mzia Amaglobeli in Georgia and the so called “foreign agents” law in Republika Srpska.

Since Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many journalists and media workers have been killed. And over 100 Ukrainian and foreign journalists have been detained or taken hostage by Russian forces. Furthermore, state disinformation, information manipulation and censorship in Russia and Belarus have reached unprecedented levels. Systemic repression has led to the closure of almost all independent media organizations and a media space largely subject to the State apparatus.

We call on both Russia and Belarus to release all political prisoners (including media actors) immediately and unconditionally, including those held by Russia in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.

In order to realise the ambition of 1975, every participating State has work to do. I am pleased that the Security Committee’s May 2025 meeting will focus on security implications of information manipulation and interference.

And domestically, the UK looks forward to working with you on the safety of journalists, combatting foreign information manipulation and interference and global media freedom challenges.

We launched our National Committee for the Safety of Journalists in 2020 and the UK’s National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists was first launched in 2021. The Action Plan was refreshed in 2023 following delivery of many of its original commitments. Achievements under the 2023 Action Plan include updated Online Harassment Guidance for Journalists; the launch of a journalist safety tracker by the National Union of Journalists; and a Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation Taskforce and workplan.

The SLAPPs Taskforce has initiated new guidance on SLAPPs for journalists. The Solicitors Regulation Authority who are members of the Taskforce, launched a thematic review on SLAPPs in April 2024 and published an updated warning notice on SLAPPs in 2024, to help solicitors and law firms understand their obligations and how to comply.

In 2025 the UK’s National Committee for Safety of Journalists will focus on three priority areas: enhancing the criminal justice response to crimes against journalists; supporting journalists and their employers to tackle online and offline harassment; and – with a non-legislative focus – tackling the risks posed by SLAPPs and other abusive legal threats against journalists.

The National Committee – co-chaired by the Minister for Sports, Media, Civil Society and Youth and the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls – will also develop the next iteration of the UK National Action Plan later this year.

The UK looks forward to continuing to discuss developments of concern across the wider OSCE region with you as well as our domestic policy framework. And the UK remains a strong supporter of your office, your mandate and your team. Thank you.”

Additional Reading

Final Thoughts

The joint statement by the UK and other nations underscores the critical importance of safeguarding media freedom as a cornerstone of democracy.

As challenges persist, it remains imperative for governments to protect journalists’ rights while balancing national security concerns with commitments to OSCE principles.

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Sources: UK Government, OSCE Representative, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Lithuanian Ambassador to the OSCE, Vaidotas Verba.