Sadly, I cannot. In no fewer than 19 of these, according to the latest assessment by Freedom House in New York, the news media are unfree or only partly free . In addition, the World Press Freedom Committee and other press freedom groups also have been alarmed at a number of developments in countries categorized as having a fully free press. It is unacceptable. As long as news media are not free to report the facts of economic, political and social life in countries within the OSCE region, these societies cannot be free, and they cannot be fully prosperous.
Press freedom is fundamental to democracy.
Without press freedom, all freedoms are compromised. The Commission, of course, is aware of these truths and knows that all is not well in too many parts of the region. You would not have convened this hearing otherwise. My colleagues on this panel will have described many of the problems facing independent media. I will also offer a brief commentary on some of the most egregious situations of repression by governments.