UK Champions Media Freedom and Journalist Safety at OSCE: November 2026 Statement

Thank you, Chair. It is a pleasure to reconvene at the Permanent Council and to welcome you, Representative, dear Jan. We appreciate your comprehensive report.

The United Kingdom remains unwavering in its commitment to media freedom and continues to be a robust supporter of your mandate within the OSCE. We strongly encourage participating States to cooperate, heed your recommendations, and uphold the 2018 Milan Decision concerning the Safety of Journalists.

We concur with your assessment that media freedom is an essential prerequisite for peace and security, rather than a secondary concern. On this occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we reiterate the imperative that all attacks against journalists must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable.

This principle is particularly salient in the context of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Reports from the UN and ODIHR detail the killings, injuries, arbitrary detentions, and other severe violations faced by journalists, alongside persistent assaults on civilian infrastructure vital to independent media. Currently, at least 26 Ukrainian journalists remain imprisoned in Russia, many on dubious charges. We call for the immediate release of all journalists and media personnel detained by Russia and demand accountability for the assaults against them.

Concerns Over Repression in Russia and Belarus

Within both Russia and Belarus, systematic repression is evident, aimed at silencing dissenting voices, criminalising journalism, and dismantling independent media. This erosion of domestic accountability and distortion of the information landscape not only undermines regional security but also directly contradicts our collective OSCE commitments.

We express our concerns regarding the democratic decline in Georgia. We condemn politically motivated detentions, including that of Mzia Amaglobeli, and urge for the immediate release of all those detained. It is crucial for Georgia to reverse repressive legislation and engage constructively with the recommendations provided by the OSCE Moscow Mechanism rapporteur to address issues regarding democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms.

Commitment to Journalists’ Safety

The UK will not tolerate foreign states targeting critics, including journalists, on British soil. Journalists in exile must have the ability to work in safety. Domestically, our National Committee for the Safety of Journalists collaborates with government entities, journalists, law enforcement, prosecution services, and civil society to enhance the protection of journalists and oversee the implementation of our National Action Plan for their safety.

In our role as the 2026 co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition, alongside Finland, we will persist in our advocacy for independent and pluralistic media. This includes addressing the threats faced by women journalists, supporting sustainable public-interest media, and confronting emerging risks associated with artificial intelligence.

The Importance of Collaborative Efforts

These challenges are shared, and governments cannot tackle them in isolation. Participating States must fully utilise the OSCE’s institutions and mechanisms and uphold their commitments to free expression and independent media. When independent voices are suppressed, disinformation proliferates, corruption thrives, and the security of our societies diminishes.

Representative, dear Jan, we extend our gratitude to you and your team for your diligent efforts and look forward to collaborating closely with you and your office to advance media freedom, thereby enhancing the collective security of the OSCE region.

Thank you, Chair.