Statements by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Terens Quick following the conclusion of the annual OSCE Ministerial Council (Milan, 8 December 2018)

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Terens Quick made the following statement, following the conclusion of the annual OSCE Ministerial Council in Milan:

“The Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe dealt with a plethora of issues, beginning with the tension between Russia and Ukraine, Immigration, foreign fighters/terrorism, energy, and generally all current issues concerning the international agenda.

This time, the issue of journalist safety was introduced. Journalists who dare, who investigate, who have strong views -which they express publicly- either on issues related to their countries, or on international issues. Journalists who do not cave in to any media or state system, who place their very lives at risk. This past year, there have been numerous well-known such examples.

Moreover, the occupation of journalist is one which each year has perhaps more victims than any other field. And when I refer to the occupation of journalist, I personally also include cameramen and photographers, along with their assistants. Because it is they who stand up and record conflicts, bombings, looting etc. Journalists and operators in the visual media are the two completely collaborating arms of the field that informs civilians.

In the Press release that I am providing today, which is to be distributed, I am citing the entire Vote - Decision of the OSCE. Though, I must stress that regardless of the protection umbrella that the OSCE did very well in providing to the courageous people in the Mass Media, it is time for all journalist Organisations to also be vigilant, by investigating, analysing, and taking measures against those journalists who consciously become instruments of misinformation, of fake news, and their participation in the shady logic of the owners of the Mass Media whom they serve. Both on a national and international level.”