European Media Prize for OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Following the attacks in Paris and Copenhagen, the Charlemagne Medal—a symbol of media freedom in Europe—has been awarded to Dunja Mijatovic, the Representative on Freedom of the Media at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
This was announced by the organizers of the European Media Prize on Tuesday. The award is to be presented on April 30 in the Coronation Hall of Aachen City Hall. According to the explanatory statement, the media are often subject to restrictions. These often insidious processes must be countered at an early stage.
Mijatovic monitors the development of the media in the 57 OSCE member states, points out undesirable developments in good time and supports the member states in upholding standards. The Bosnian has been the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media since 2010.
The attacks on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris and on a cultural café in Copenhagen, where Mohammed cartoonist Lars Vilks is said to have been the target, were seen as attacks on press freedom.
The non-endowed Charlemagne Medal is awarded in the run-up to the International Charlemagne Prize for services to European unification in the field of media and for services to the development of a European identity. Last year's winner was the European Film Academy. The Charlemagne Prize will be awarded to EU Parliament President Martin Schulz on May 14.
The award is sponsored by the association "Médaille Charlemagne pour les Médias Européens" (Charlemagne Medal for the European Media) with 13 members. (SDA)
