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Russia blasts OSCE media freedom representative over double standards

Russia hopes that the OSCE member-states will find "a more competent candidate" to replace Dunja Mijatovic whose mandate expires on March 11, 2016

Dunja Mijatovic (archive) EPA/TOMASZ GZELL POLAND OUT

Dunja Mijatovic (archive)

© EPA/TOMASZ GZELL POLAND OUT

MOSCOW, December 2. /TASS/. Moscow calls on OSCE media freedom representative Dunja Mijatovic to adhere to her mandate and not be guided by double standards when assessing the situation with the freedom of speech, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

"We note the need for the OSCE media freedom representative to strictly adhere to her mandate," the ministry said in a commentary ahead of the OSCE Ministerial Council’s meeting in Belgrade on December 3-4 to be attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

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"Double standards during the assessment of the situation with the freedom of speech are unacceptable as well as the lack of consistent reaction of the representative to restrictive measures of some OSCE countries against Russia’s media resources."

Russia hopes that the OSCE member-states will find "a more competent candidate" to replace Mijatovic whose mandate expires on March 11, 2016, the ministry said.

Moscow will outline its position after holding consultations with the candidates and assessing their statements, and in particular their ability to take into account the concerns of the member-states.

"The work on promoting the freedom of speech needs to take into consideration the changes in the media landscape and the new possibilities amid the development of the Internet and social networks," it said.

"More attention should be paid to increasing the professionalism and responsibility of reporters, fighting against the language of hatred in mass media and the Internet, and the spread of radical information, and countering intolerance, racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism," the statement reads.

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Foreign policy OSCE Russian Foreign Ministry Media freedom

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