Journalists of the world, feel free to insult!
What is particularly discouraging is that the OSCE Representative has not yet come to recognize that he has to do something about xenophobia and religious intolerance in Western media.
When the position of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Representative on Freedom of the Media was established in 1997, early signs of xenophobia and racism could be detected in Western Europe, but they were nowhere near the peak level witnessed in the aftermath of 9/11.
With the fall of the iron curtain, ten former Soviet Republics joined the organization in 1992 what has become the world’s largest regional security organization trying to adapt to post Cold War era. Hence OSCE endorsed the mission of supporting the transition of new members to democracy. Since free media is an inseparable element of democracy, in order to ensure freedom of press in member countries, the position of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media was established.
According to the Web site of the OSCE, the function of the Representative is to “observe relevant media developments in participating states with a view of providing of early warning on violations of freedom of expression.” To put it more bluntly, the task of the representative is to be the watchdog of the press against the state, since in developing democracies governments are slow in releasing their control over the press and tend to stick to restrictive legislations, as is the case with Turkey’s famous article 301. Therefore, members of the press can only appreciate the existence of an institution that can exercise pressure on their governments if they are indeed facing anti – democratic practices.
Free speech, not hate speech:
Having said that, should the mandate of such an institution be limited only to tackling challenges that stem from restrictions on freedom of expression? What happens if the principle of free speech is used as an alibi to violate freedom of religion and the freedom of being “different”? What happens if free speech starts turning into hate speech?
The answer of the current Representative, Miklos Haraszti, is very simple: “there cannot be less freedom of expression for more freedom of religion.”
Mr. Haraszti, was talking in the 56th general assembly of International Press Institute held in Istanbul that ended yesterday. Mr. Haraszti, talked right after the Danish journalist who elaborated on the lessons learned from the famous cartoon crisis. Mr. Haraszti emphasized repeatedly how the OSCE is asking member states not to engage in new legislation against freedom of speech. He talked about the intimidation campaigns of governments against the press in countries like Russia, Byelorussia and Azerbaijan.
On the cartoon crisis, his message was: “cultural sensitivity could be misused and an emphasis on cultural sensitivity could end up being nothing but restriction of criticism.” This sounds to my ears as: “journalists of the world: feel free to insult, since you are using your democratic right to criticize.”
A Hungarian journalist and human rights advocate, Mr. Haraszti is naturally sensitive on the issue of free press since he himself witnessed the oppressions by the communist system. Whatever his background is, as representative on the freedom of the media, he is obviously expected to be sensitive to violations of freedom of expression. Therefore it is only natural that he focuses on the anti-democratic implementation of laws on the press in the eastern member states of the OSCE, in countries like Russia, Armenia or Turkey.
But I have to admit that I was disappointed when I heard him answer my question on what the OSCE is doing or could do on the spread of xenophobic and racist views through the media in the countries to the west and north of Vienna where he resides, or in fact in Austria itself. The answer I got focused more on how journalists in Turkey end in jail because of restrictive laws on the freedom of expression.
I am not asking Mr. Haraszti to relent his pursuit of more freedom of the press in countries such as Turkey. In fact, he should do everything in his power to exert whatever pressure he can to change the famous article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code. But my question is; shouldn’t he allocate part of his time and energy on the Western European media whose reports have approached to the borders of incitement to hatred?
The concern over the rise of xenophobia and religious intolerance in Western Europe is not limited to the Muslim world. Prominent human rights experts of international organizations such as United Nations, Council of Europe and even OSCE’s own institution, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) express growing concern for biased and prejudiced media portrayal of vulnerable communities in particular Muslim migrants based on racism, xenophobia and religious intolerance.
It should not be up to me to remind Mr. Haraszti that his mandate requires him - according to the information in the Web site of the OSCE - to co-operate closely with the ODIHR. Meanwhile, he should not hide behind his mandate, which was formulated in mid 1990’s to tackle the problems of the then new democracies of Europe.
I am sure he is aware of the calls for OSCE reform The OSCE is asked to adapt itself to the new challenges of the new millennium.
Islamophobia in the Western press:
Hence as far as his professional responsibilities are concerned, Mr. Haraszti should not remain idle to the Islamophobia in the Western press and simply hang on to the tunes of “cultural sensitivity will mean nothing but restriction of criticism.” If he lacks creativity, he can resort to the help of other human rights organization such as Council of Europe’s European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI.).
Let’s take a look on what ECRI says for example, on Denmark in its report dated 2006:
“ECRI is of the strong opinion that the media and politicians should play a more responsible role in the manner in which they portray minority groups in general and Muslims in particular. It thus calls on the Danish Government to carefully review the law on incitement to racial hatred.”
Mr. Haraszti, might be allergic to legislative measures. Be it. Regulatory rules might not be the best solution. I do not know what are the appropriate measures. But that should be the job of Mr. Haraszti. Afterall, this is what he is payed to do. What is particularly discouraging is that Mr. Haraszti has not yet come to recognize that he has to do something about xenophobia and religious intolerance in Western media.