OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Representative on Freedom of the Media underscore importance of media freedom on World Press Freedom Day

VIENNA/BERN, 3 May 2026 - On World Press Freedom Day, held this year under the theme “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security”, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) Jan Braathu, reiterated the importance of media freedom and professional journalism in promoting peace and security among participating States. 

“Journalists are not only witnesses, but guarantors of credibility – of words, images, data and statements. They help societies to orient themselves, to distinguish what is true from what is plausible, and to form informed opinions. Media freedom is a cornerstone of democracy, and it comes with responsibility: reliable information is the basis of trust, and trust is the basis of democracy,” said OSCE Chairman-in-Office Cassis.

World Press Freedom Day touches on the foundation of OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security and the RFoM’s principle that there can be no security without media freedom.

 “A diverse, independent and ethical media is not only a cornerstone of democracy, but also a source of resilience, trust and peace. By protecting media freedom, we safeguard our shared future, which depends on accountability and dialogue among our fellow citizens and societies,” said OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Ambassador Jan Braathu.

Media professionals continue to play an essential role in informing on issues of public interest. The OSCE, as the world’s largest regional security organization, regards human rights and media freedom as its key pillars.