Human Rights That Are Applicable to All pa rt II 11. Freedom of the press and media are among the basic prerequisites for truly democratic and civil societies (…) Copenhagen 1997 (Annex 1: Permanent Council Decision No. 193, Mandate of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media) 1. The participating States (…) recall in particular that freedom of expression is a fundamental and internationally recognized human right and a basic component of a democratic society and that free, independent and pluralistic media are essential to a free and open society and accountable systems of government. Bearing in mind the principles and commitments they have subscribed to within the OSCE (…), the participating States decide to establish, under the aegis of the Permanent Council, an OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. The objective is to strengthen the implementation of relevant OSCE principles and commitments as well as to improve the effectiveness of concerted action by the participating States based on their common values. The participating States confirm that they will co-operate fully with the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. He or she will assist the participating States, in a spirit of cooperation, in their continuing commitment to the furthering of free, independent and pluralistic media (…) Istanbul 1999 (Summit Declaration) 27. (…) We are deeply concerned about the exploitation of media in areas of conflict to foment hatred and ethnic tension and the use of legal restrictions and harassment to deprive citizens of free media. We underline the need to secure freedom of expression, which is an essential element of political discourse in any democracy. We support the Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media in its efforts to promote free and independent media. Istanbul 1999 (Charter for European Security: III. Our Common Response) 26. We reaffirm the importance of independent media and the free flow of information as well as the public’s access to information. We commit ourselves to take all necessary steps to ensure the basic conditions for free and independent media and unimpeded transborder and intra-State flow of information (…) C. Freedom of Cultural or Artistic Expression See also: á Part II. 3.2.3: Cultural Rights/Cultural Heritage Paris 1990 (A New Era of Democracy, Peace and Unity) We recognize the essential contribution of our common European culture and our shared values in overcoming the division of the continent. Therefore, we underline our attachment to creative freedom and to the protection and promotion of our cultural and spiritual heritage, in all its richness and diversity. 120 OSCE Human Dimension Commitments