Defending media freedom and the safety of journalists: UK statement to the OSCE, November 2026
What was announced
Ambassador Neil Holland reaffirms UK support for media freedom and the safety of journalists across the OSCE region. He called for journalists held by Russia to be released, attacks investigated, perpetrators held accountable and participating States to uphold their commitments to independent media.
Key points, in the publisher's words
- Thank you, Chair. Welcome back to the Permanent Council, Representative, dear Jan, and thank you for your report.
- The United Kingdom remains steadfast in its commitment to media freedom and is a strong supporter of your mandate here at the OSCE, and we urge participating States to cooperate, heed recommendations and uphold the 2018 Milan Decision on the Safety of Journalists.
- We fully agree with your assessment that media freedom is a necessary condition for peace and security, not a peripheral or second-order issue. As we mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we reiterate that attacks against journalists must be investigated and those responsible held to account.
Who and where
UK bodies of power
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK government department) · more news
Global and regional bodies
- United Nations (Level 8 of 10) · more news
Countries
Where this sits in the 10 levels of power
- Level 8: The UN and global treaty bodies · news at this level
- Level 6: National government · news at this level
Topics, as GOV.UK files them: Foreign affairs.
Receipt
- Original: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/defending-media-freedom-and-the-safety-of-journalists-uk-statement-to-the-osce-november-2026
- Published 2026-11-05 14:16:06 UTC
- Read by this site 2026-11-05 14:30:47 UTC from GOV.UK
- Saved copy: receipt 8661, with its SHA-256 fingerprint
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Related official news
- Joint Statement by the Informal Group of Friends of Safety of Journalists, November 2026
- History cannot justify changing borders by force: UK statement to the OSCE
- Two new Ebola vaccines to join DR Congo clinical trial
- Security Council, 10266th Meeting (AM) Sudan, South Sudan
- Security Council, 10265th Meeting (AM) Yemen
- Russia must show the evidence behind its claims: UK statement to the OSCE
- International Development Minister speech at Education Cannot Wait Replenishment Conference
- 53rd Universal Periodic Review of human rights: UK Statement on Hungary
More from GOV.UK
- History cannot justify changing borders by force: UK statement to the OSCE
- DBS supports Wales National Safeguarding Week 2026
- DBS yn cefnogi Wythnos Diogelu Genedlaethol Cymru 2026
- Joint Statement by the Informal Group of Friends of Safety of Journalists, November 2026
- PM meetings with world leaders at CHOGM
- UK-Switzerland Financial Dialogue 2026 Joint Statement
Also announced on 5 November 2026
- Bank rate increased to 4% - November 2026 Monetary Policy Summary and Minutes
- Two new Ebola vaccines to join DR Congo clinical trial
- Security Council, 10266th Meeting (AM) Sudan, South Sudan
- Security Council, 10265th Meeting (AM) Yemen
- Isabel Schnabel: Navigating stormy waters: reflections on monetary policy
- Piero Cipollone: Shaping the future of money