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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY IN THE OSCE REGION
______
HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS
of florida
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to emphasize the urgency of
global press freedom, particularly across the 57-nation region of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Earlier
last week, we celebrated World Press Freedom Day, a day originally
proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1993 to
celebrate the fundamental principle of a free and independent press. On
this day and beyond, we honor journalists and media professionals for
their tireless service in reporting the truth, sometimes at the risk of
their own personal safety. World Press Freedom Day serves as an
important reminder to governments around the world to respect their
country's commitment to press freedom.
The U.S. Helsinki Commission, of which I am Chairman, is charged with
monitoring compliance with human rights and security commitments in the
OSCE region. Freedom of the press is a foundational commitment to human
rights and democracy. Unfortunately, however, some leaders view the
media as a threat and seek to silence individuals and outlets through
financial, legal, and physical means. What these leaders truly fear is
that journalists will expose corruption, human rights violations,
abuses of power, and other undemocratic behavior.
According to the latest reports from the Committee to Protect
Journalists, 250 journalists are imprisoned worldwide for their work,
64 journalists are missing, and 1,369 journalists have been killed
since 1992. Additionally, Reporters Without Borders' 2020 World Press
Freedom Index found that global press freedom has deteriorated by 12
percent since 2013.
Madam Speaker, I also rise to applaud the undaunted service of the
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem De sir. His
leadership as an independent monitor for these issues among OSCE
participating States has offered candid review of our collective
challenges, while demonstrating the importance of OSCE institutions.
Mr. De sir's team has provided impeccable service to help nations
implement their international commitments to this end through country
visits and legislative review, as well as hosting expert conferences. I
encourage my colleagues to closely follow his work and to learn more
about his mandate by reviewing the proceedings of the U.S. Helsinki
Commission hearing I chaired with Mr. De sir on July 25, 2019,
addressing ``State of Media Freedom in the OSCE Region.''
Madam Speaker, amid this global pandemic, it is more important than
ever that journalists and media professionals are able to work freely
and without retribution. Unfortunately, too many journalists remain in
jail throughout the OSCE region, while states like Russia, Azerbaijan,
and Hungary criminalize providing essential information and
transparency about the COVID-19 pandemic. Independent media continues
to be assaulted under the pretense of punishing allegedly false,
misleading, or unofficial information. This is unacceptable.
Earlier in April, I released statements expressing concern with the
latest attacks on press freedom in Russia and the unchecked power
granted to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban amid the coronavirus
pandemic.
During these trying times, strong journalism and access to accurate,
unbiased information are essential tools for countering the spread of
the disease. I ask my colleagues to join me in urging states to
recognize the indispensable role of the media during this time and to
reverse policies that in any way discourage freedom of expression.
