OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media warns of major paradigm shift in information space in report to the Permanent Council

VIENNA, 27 November – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Ambassador Jan Braathu, today presented his second report to the OSCE Permanent Council, warning that a profound and accelerating paradigm shift in the information environment is undermining democratic resilience and placing journalists at growing risk across the OSCE region.

“We are witnessing a transformation that strikes at the foundations of our democratic and security architecture. Media freedom is not a luxury – it is essential to stability and public trust,” the Representative said.

A rapidly changing information landscape

The Representative stressed that political pressure, disinformation, economic fragility, the dominance of major online platforms, and the rise of artificial intelligence are reshaping how societies access and trust information. This concentration of power, combined with increasing hostility toward journalists, is further fragmenting public discourse. 

Key concerns: safety of journalists, shrinking space, and digital threats

The report highlights continued attacks, intimidation, and arbitrary detentions of journalists, including during protests, as well as impunity for perpetrators.  Braathu voiced concern over intrusive surveillance practices; restrictive legislation – including “foreign agent” laws; and the spread of vexatious lawsuits (commonly known as SLAPPs) aimed at silencing public interest reporting.

He underlined the urgent need for all participating States to implement the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision 3/2018 on the Safety of Journalists, and to ensure that measures against disinformation reinforce, rather than restrict, media freedom.

Support for journalists and engagement across the region

The Representative reported on a range of practical initiatives undertaken by his Office, including safety trainings for journalists, support for journalists in exile, regional media conferences in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Uzbekistan, AI-related issues, and ongoing engagement with regulators and public service media. The Representative emphasised his “concern over the deliberate targeting of journalists covering Russia’s war against Ukraine.”

A call for implementation, political will, and investment

Braathu emphasised that the OSCE’s longstanding media freedom commitments remain robust, but that their implementation is falling short.

“Ethical journalism is a public good. What is needed now is not only reaffirmation, but concrete realization through legislation, enforcement, and political will,” he said.

He urged participating States to act decisively to protect journalists, strengthen independent media, and ensure a resilient public information environment. 

“The stakes could not be higher: safeguarding media freedom is a strategic investment in democracy, public trust, and security,” he concluded.

Full report by the Representative on Freedom of the Media

Annex to the RFoM's Permanent Council Report | OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom