OSCE on media restrictions in Crimea

VIENNA – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said on April 1 that media pluralism and access to information in Crimea have been limited even further, following the end of the imposed re-registration period for all media outlets by April 1. “Crimean Tatar media outlets are having their registration rejected for subjective reasons, this is yet another proof that the politically selective censorship of free and independent voices in Crimea is continuing,” Ms. Mijatović said. According to reports, practically all Crimean Tatar media outlets, including ATR and Lale television channels, Meydan and Lider radio stations, QHA news agency, Avdet newspaper and others, have been forced to cease their activities due to the repeated denial by the de facto regulatory authorities to register them under Russian media legislation. New procedural violations have been repeatedly cited as the reasons for rejection in some of the cases. “Persons belonging to certain national cultures on their territories have the right to disseminate, access and exchange information at all times, including in their own languages,” Ms. Mijatović said. “The events in Crimea are also clear indications of the over-restrictive nature of media registration applied by the Russian Federation.” (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe)