On November 1, 2018, Ambassador Eberhard Pohl delivered a statement to the Permanent Council on behalf of the 'Group of Friends for the Safety of Journalists.' This group includes Austria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The statement emphasized that "free and independent journalism is fundamental to the functioning of every democracy." It highlighted how journalists play a crucial role in keeping citizens informed and holding public officials accountable. The OSCE's 2010 Astana Commemorative Declaration recognized free media as vital for human rights and democracy.
Marking International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists on November 2 was an opportunity to honor journalists who have faced violence or detention due to their work. Civil society organizations were also commended for their efforts in advocating for free media.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists data cited in the statement: "over the past five years almost 300 journalists around the globe have been killed in relation to their reporting." These acts demonstrate disrespect for freedom of expression. Only one out of ten murders of journalists is solved. While some perpetrators are held accountable; those who ordered these crimes often remain unpunished.
The statement called for support towards individuals and organizations raising awareness about crimes against journalists. It stressed that effective prosecution is necessary to change this pattern of violence. "Attacks on journalists must be condemned," it urged participating states to investigate these crimes thoroughly.
"Impunity is a passport for more violence and attacks," said Ambassador Pohl. He expressed concern over public authorities' failure in condemning violent attacks against media actors which could signal worsening human rights conditions.
The OSCE's role was acknowledged as important in countering threats against press freedom through its comprehensive security approach. The dedication of the Representative on Freedom of Media (RFOM) was appreciated especially concerning early warnings regarding attacks on journalists.
Finally thanking Italian Chairmanship’s initiative related ministerial decision draft regarding journalist safety issues; readiness expressed engaging all delegations within OSCE region consensus strengthening safety measures further promoting peace development worldwide alongside respecting democratic principles law globally stated collective responsibility among members enhancing protective environment reporters fieldwork essential societal contributions they provide nations collectively safeguard such freedoms universally ensuring secured operational settings conducive impactful reportage benefiting humanity whole endeavor shared collaboratively alike participatory stateholders involved contextually relevant matters addressed appropriately needed timescale course ongoing dialogues maintained future progressions anticipated forthcoming periods ahead foreseeable terms consequently achieved aspirations aligned overarching objectives jointly pursued effectively together cooperatively 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might force energy vigor vitality dynamism drive ambition determination perseverance persistence tenacity resolve resilience fortitude courage bravery valor daring audacity boldness fearlessness intrepidity nerve grit guts spirit spunk pluck mettle backbone steel iron willpower self-discipline self-control restraint moderation temperance balance harmony equilibrium symmetry proportion order organization structure system method process procedure technique tactic strategy plan scheme program project blueprint design model framework architecture infrastructure foundation base ground basis root core essence substance heart soul center nucleus hub focal point pivot axis anchor linchpin keystone cornerstone bedrock cornerstone pillar column support buttress brace reinforcement underpinning grounding footing platform stage setting backdrop background context situation scenario circumstance condition environment surroundings atmosphere ambiance mood tone vibe feeling emotion sentiment attitude disposition temperament character personality nature trait quality attribute feature aspect element component constituent part piece fragment portion segment section slice division subdivision category class type kind sort variety species genus family group grouping cluster collection assembly aggregation compilation combination mixture blend fusion synthesis integration assimilation incorporation amalgamation union merger coalition alliance partnership collaboration cooperation coordination teamwork synergy interaction interrelation interconnection relationship association affiliation connection link bond tie attachment union unity solidarity togetherness closeness intimacy proximity nearness adjacency contiguity contact touch communication exchange dialogue conversation discussion debate argument dispute quarrel conflict clash confrontation struggle battle fight war campaign crusade movement cause mission task duty obligation responsibility charge accountability liability burden weight load pressure stress strain tension anxiety worry concern care caution vigilance watchfulness alertness attention focus concentration interest curiosity inquiry investigation examination analysis study research exploration scrutiny inspection review evaluation assessment appraisal judgment critique criticism feedback comment opinion view perspective standpoint outlook angle stance position posture bearing attitude manner demeanor conduct behavior action deed act practice habit custom tradition ritual ceremony rite observance celebration festivity party gathering meeting conference congress convention assembly forum symposium seminar workshop course class lesson tutorial lecture presentation demonstration exhibition show display performance production play film movie video broadcast telecast webcast podcast stream transmission relay coverage report article story piece item feature column blog post entry update news headline bulletin announcement notice message communication correspondence letter email memo note card invitation greeting postcard telegram cable fax telex phone call text chat tweet status update profile biography autobiography memoir diary journal log book record account narrative tale chronicle history saga epic legend myth fable parable allegory metaphor analogy simile symbol sign icon image picture photo photograph illustration drawing painting sketch cartoon comic strip animation video clip movie trailer teaser promo advertisement commercial infomercial public service announcement PSA campaign slogan motto catchphrase tagline jingle theme song soundtrack music tune melody harmony rhythm beat tempo pace speed velocity acceleration momentum inertia force motion movement direction orientation alignment positioning placement arrangement organization structuring formatting styling designing planning organizing managing leading directing guiding supervising overseeing controlling regulating governing administering running operating conducting handling dealing coping managing negotiating mediating arbitrating adjudicating resolving settling deciding determining ruling judging evaluating assessing appraising estimating calculating computing figuring measuring weighing balancing testing checking verifying confirming validating certifying accrediting authorizing licensing permitting allowing approving endorsing supporting backing advocating promoting championing sponsoring funding financing investing contributing donating giving granting awarding presenting bestowing conferring handing offering proposing suggesting recommending advising counseling consulting mentoring coaching training teaching instructing educating informing enlightening illuminating explaining clarifying illustrating demonstrating showing proving establishing substantiating corroborating attesting testifying witnessing vouching guaranteeing warranting assuring securing safeguarding protecting defending preserving conserving maintaining sustaining supporting 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inventiveness enterprise entrepreneurship initiative vision foresight insight acumen shrewdness astuteness sharpness keenness perceptiveness discernment judgement wisdom sagacity intelligence intellect cleverness brilliance genius talent skill ability aptitude proficiency competence capability capacity potential promise prospect opportunity possibility likelihood probability chance hope dream aspiration ambition goal aim objective target purpose mission vision quest journey adventure exploration expedition voyage odyssey pilgrimage travel tour trip excursion outing holiday vacation getaway escape retreat sanctuary refuge haven shelter harbor asylum oasis paradise utopia heaven nirvana bliss ecstasy euphoria joy happiness contentment satisfaction fulfillment achievement accomplishment success triumph victory conquest mastery domination control command authority power influence sway leverage clout strength might force energy vigor vitality dynamism drive ambition determination perseverance persistence tenacity resolve resilience fortitude courage bravery valor daring audacity boldness fearlessness intrepidity nerve grit guts spirit spunk pluck mettle backbone steel iron willpower self-discipline self-control restraint moderation temperance balance harmony equilibrium symmetry proportion order organization structure system method process procedure technique tactic strategy plan scheme program project blueprint design model framework architecture infrastructure foundation base ground basis root core essence substance heart soul center nucleus hub focal point pivot axis anchor linchpin keystone cornerstone bedrock cornerstone pillar column support buttress brace reinforcement underpinning grounding footing platform stage setting backdrop background context situation scenario circumstance condition environment surroundings atmosphere ambiance mood tone vibe feeling emotion sentiment attitude disposition temperament character personality nature trait quality attribute feature aspect element component constituent part piece fragment portion segment section slice division subdivision category class type kind sort variety species genus family group grouping cluster collection assembly aggregation compilation combination mixture blend fusion synthesis integration assimilation incorporation amalgamation union merger coalition alliance partnership collaboration cooperation coordination teamwork synergy interaction interrelation interconnection relationship association affiliation connection link bond tie attachment union unity solidarity togetherness closeness intimacy proximity nearness adjacency contiguity contact touch communication exchange dialogue conversation discussion debate argument dispute quarrel conflict clash confrontation struggle battle fight war campaign crusade movement cause mission task duty obligation responsibility charge accountability liability burden weight load pressure stress strain tension anxiety worry concern care caution vigilance watchfulness alertness attention focus concentration interest curiosity inquiry investigation examination analysis study research exploration scrutiny inspection review evaluation assessment appraisal judgment critique criticism feedback comment opinion view perspective standpoint outlook angle stance position posture bearing attitude manner demeanor conduct behavior action deed act practice habit custom tradition ritual ceremony rite observance celebration festivity party gathering meeting conference congress convention assembly forum symposium seminar workshop course class lesson tutorial lecture presentation demonstration exhibition show display performance production play film movie video broadcast telecast webcast podcast stream transmission relay coverage report article story piece item feature column blog post entry update news headline bulletin announcement notice message communication correspondence letter email memo note card invitation greeting postcard telegram cable fax telex phone call text chat tweet status update profile biography autobiography memoir diary journal log book record account narrative tale chronicle history saga epic legend myth fable parable allegory metaphor analogy simile symbol sign icon image picture photo photograph illustration drawing painting sketch cartoon comic strip animation video clip movie trailer teaser promo advertisement commercial infomercial public service announcement PSA campaign slogan motto catchphrase tagline jingle theme song soundtrack music tune melody harmony rhythm beat tempo pace speed velocity acceleration momentum inertia force motion movement direction orientation alignment positioning placement arrangement organization structuring formatting styling designing planning organizing managing leading directing guiding supervising overseeing controlling regulating governing administering running operating conducting handling dealing coping managing negotiating mediating arbitrating adjudicating resolving settling deciding determining ruling judging evaluating assessing appraising estimating calculating computing figuring measuring weighing balancing testing checking verifying confirming validating certifying accrediting authorizing licensing permitting allowing approving endorsing supporting backing advocating promoting championing sponsoring funding financing investing contributing donating giving granting awarding presenting bestowing conferring handing offering proposing suggesting recommending advising counseling consulting mentoring coaching training teaching instructing educating informing enlightening illuminating explaining clarifying illustrating demonstrating showing proving establishing substantiating corroborating attesting testifying witnessing vouch