Today, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro presented a Regular report to the OSCE Permanent Council on freedom of expression and media freedom across the OSCE region.
During the debate, Ambassador Stefano Baldi reiterated Italy’s support and appreciation for the work of the Representative in defence of media freedom, recalling the need for a renewed commitment on the part of participating States to protect media freedom and freedom of expression with regard to an alarming backsliding of human rights and the repression of civil society globally.
Recalling the wounding of Italian journalist Corrado Zunino and the tragic death of his collaborator Bogdan Bitik and most recently of French journalist Arman Soldin in Ukraine, Ambassador Baldi expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards all journalists and media staff engaged in war zones who chronicle atrocities on a daily basis. The Ambassador further reminded of Italy’s ongoing support for the project on the safety of journalists (recently promoted by the Representative on Freedom of the Media), which aims at strengthening the implementation of the related Ministerial Decision adopted during the Italian OSCE Chairpersonship back in 2018.
