PART I
Implementation of Commitments
65
working conditions for journalists. He or she will closely co-operate with the participating
States, the Permanent Council, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
(ODIHR), the High Commissioner on National Minorities and, where appropriate, other
OSCE bodies, as well as with national and international media associations.
3. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media will concentrate, as outlined in this
paragraph, on rapid response to serious non-compliance with OSCE principles and commitments by participating States in respect of freedom of expression and free media. In the case
of an allegation of serious non-compliance therewith, the OSCE Representative on Freedom
of the Media will seek direct contacts, in an appropriate manner, with the participating State
and with other parties concerned, assess the facts, assist the participating State, and contribute to the resolution of the issue. He or she will keep the Chairman-in-Office informed about
his or her activities and report to the Permanent Council on their results, and on his or her
observations and recommendations.
4. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media does not exercise a juridical function,
nor can his or her involvement in any way prejudge national or international legal proceedings
concerning alleged human rights violations. Equally, national or international proceedings
concerning alleged human rights violations will not necessarily preclude the performance of
his or her tasks as outlined in this mandate.
5. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media may collect and receive information on
the situation of the media from all bona fide sources. He or she will in particular draw on information and assessments provided by the ODIHR. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of
the Media will support the ODIHR in assessing conditions for the functioning of free, independent and pluralistic media before, during and after elections.
6. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media may at all times collect and receive
from participating States and other interested parties (e.g. from organizations or institutions,
from media and their representatives, and from relevant NGOs) requests, suggestions and
comments related to strengthening and further developing compliance with relevant OSCE
principles and commitments, including alleged serious instances of intolerance by participating States which utilize media in violation of the principles referred to in the Budapest
Document, Chapter VIII, paragraph 25, and in the Decisions of the Rome Council Meeting,
Chapter X. He or she may forward requests, suggestions and comments to the Permanent
Council, recommending further action where appropriate.
7. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media will also routinely consult with the
Chairman-in-Office and report on a regular basis to the Permanent Council. He or she may
be invited to the Permanent Council to present reports, within this mandate, on specific matters related to freedom of expression and free, independent and pluralistic media. He or she
will report annually to the Implementation Meeting on Human Dimension Issues or to the
OSCE Review Meeting on the status of the implementation of OSCE principles and commitments in respect of freedom of expression and free media in OSCE participating States.
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