OSCE RFoM Holds National Focal Points Meeting on Journalist Safety in Bern, Switzerland
Summary
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Ambassador Jan Braathu, held the annual National Focal Points meeting on Safety of Journalists in Bern, Switzerland from April 14–18, 2026, with representatives from 22 participating States in attendance. The meeting featured Switzerland's National Action Plan for the Safety of Media Professionals and included presentations on the upcoming RFoM report on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) and the issue of transnational repression targeting journalists.
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What changed
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media convened the annual National Focal Points meeting on the Safety of Journalists in Bern, Switzerland, with National Focal Points from 22 participating States in attendance. The meeting reviewed Switzerland's National Action Plan for the Safety of Media Professionals and discussed the upcoming RFoM report on SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) as well as the growing issue of transnational repression targeting journalists. Ambassador Braathu emphasised that OSCE Ministerial Council Decision 3/18 on the Safety of Journalists should be reflected in laws, policies, and daily practice rather than remaining merely on paper.
Media freedom stakeholders, journalists, and OSCE participating States should note that the RFoM continues to prioritise concrete implementation of journalist safety commitments through direct engagement with National Focal Points. The upcoming SLAPP report and continued focus on transnational repression suggest that regulatory and policy attention to journalist protection mechanisms will remain active within the OSCE framework.
Archived snapshot
Apr 23, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Press release
OSCE Media Freedom Representative held National Focal Points Meeting on the Safety of Journalists and bilateral meetings in Bern
Date:
21 April 2026
Place: Bern Source: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Fields of work: Media freedom and development VIENNA, 21 April 2026 – Ensuring the safety of journalists was at the center of the visit to Bern, Switzerland, by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Ambassador Jan Braathu last week for the annual meeting of the RFoM National Focal Points on Safety of Journalists.
In the course of his visit, the Representative held insightful meetings with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, as well as representatives of the Swiss Federal Office of Communications and the Foreign Ministry’s Human Rights Division.
Organized under the auspices of the Safety of Journalists project and in close co-operation with the 2026 Swiss Chairpersonship of the OSCE, the National Focal Points (NFPs) meeting highlighted Switzerland’s National Action Plan for the Safety of Media Professionals, featuring concrete measures on prevention, protection, and legal frameworks. Furthermore, the meeting provided a platform to present the upcoming RFoM report on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP), highlighting common challenges and key recommendations in this area. In addition, the issue of transnational repression targeting journalists was discussed in depth, prompting a substantive exchange with National Focal Points, who shared national measures aimed at addressing this phenomenon.
National Focal Points from 22 participating States also presented national measures and initiatives related to journalists’ safety, including progress in the implementation of OSCE Ministerial Council Decision 3/18 on the Safety of Journalists – and took part in a study visit to the Federal Palace Media Centre.
“OSCE Ministerial Council Decision 3/18 on the Safety of Journalists is more important than ever and should not remain merely on paper, but be reflected in laws, policies and daily practice,” Braathu said. “Our initiative of direct engagement with National Focal Points represents concrete action to strengthen our joint OSCE commitments and sends an encouraging signal in our efforts to ensure safer working conditions for media professionals in the OSCE area.”
During his visit to Switzerland, the RFoM also met with the Swiss Press Council, the public service broadcaster SRG, media freedom organizations and journalistic associations Reporters sans frontières Switzerland and Syndicom. These exchanges provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen synergies in support of media freedom within the OSCE agenda to promote peace and security.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at rfom.osce.org , Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom
Contacts
Adis Mustedanagic
Senior Secretary
Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Wallnerstrasse 6
1010 Vienna
Austria
Email: adis.mustedanagic@osce.org Phone: +43 1 51436 6821 +43 699 10 44 6010
About us
## OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Contact
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Wallnerstrasse 6
1010 Vienna
Austria
Phone: +43 1 514 36 6800 Email: pm-fom@osce.org
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