Russia’s intensifying campaign against independent media: UK statement
Ms. Nicola Murray, Deputy Head of the UK Delegation to the OSCE, raises concerns about Russia’s treatment of journalists and independent media at the OSCE Permanent Council.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
A free and independent media is a cornerstone of any democratic society. People must be allowed to discuss and debate issues freely, to challenge their governments, and to make informed political decisions.
Action taken by the Russian authorities in recent months has raised serious concern, against the backdrop of an already poor record on freedom of expression. Russia currently ranks 149th out of 180 countries according to the 2020 World Press Freedom Index, and the Committee to Protect Journalists reports seven journalists currently missing in Russia, with ten arrested last year.
Russia’s treatment of journalists and independent media runs counter to its commitments under the OSCE Milan Ministerial Decision on the safety of journalists. During recent peaceful protests following the sentencing of Alexey Navalny on arbitrary charges, some 80 journalists were detained or arrested, despite clearly identifying themselves with Press credentials.
We are also deeply concerned that legislation introduced in December allowing the Russian government to declare accredited foreign journalists as “individual foreign agents” will be used for political means. As the former Representative for the Freedom of Media stated in his July 2020 report, the enactment of the law extended the status of a “foreign agent” to private individuals when they publish written or audio-visual information for a broader public audience, and introduced new restrictions on the distribution of information from media outlets categorized as “foreign agents”. This represents a dangerous regulatory practice, which narrows the space for independent media.
It is as important as ever that Russian citizens have a choice in the media they consume, that they are able to access reliable and objective information, and that local, public and independent media which serve Russian-speaking audiences can flourish.
The continued suppression of independent media is unacceptable and confirms a continuous negative pattern of shrinking space for independent voices in Russia. Russia must respect its citizens’ right to freedom of expression and demonstrate its commitment to its international obligations, and OSCE commitments.
Thank you, Madam Chair.