Thank you, Chair,
Norway has aligned itself with the statement made by the European Union. However, allow me to make a few remarks in my national capacity.
Freedom of expression and media freedom are fundamental pillars of democratic societies. They are not only legal rights, but essential tools for enabling informed public debate, holding authorities accountable, and safeguarding human dignity.
In today’s complex information landscape, access to reliable information is increasingly challenged. We witness growing threats to independent journalism, including harassment, intimidation, and politically motivated restrictions. These attacks undermine public trust and weaken democratic institutions.
Norway is deeply committed to defending freedom of expression and the rule of law, both at home and within the OSCE region. We continue to support journalists and media workers who face threats and violence for doing their job. Impunity for attacks on journalists must end. Every act of violence that goes uninvestigated and unpunished is an open invitation for further violence.
In response to these challenges, the Norwegian government has recently launched two key initiatives: The National Strategy to Strengthen Resilience Against Disinformation, presented by the Ministry of Culture and Equality, outlines a comprehensive approach to counter harmful information flows. It emphasizes media literacy, platform accountability, and research-based policy development. The strategy also addresses emerging threats such as deepfakes and AI-generated content, and calls for coordinated efforts across sectors to protect public trust and democratic discourse.
The National Strategy for Freedom of Expression, launched last month, builds on the findings of the Freedom of Expression Commission. It sets out a framework for ensuring that freedom of expression is not only protected in law, but realized in practice. The strategy focuses on infrastructure, inclusion, transparency, and the fight against harmful and distorted speech. It recognizes that democratic resilience requires long-term investment in education, civil society, and safe conditions for public debate.
These strategies reflect Norway’s belief that freedom of expression must be actively defended. It is not self-sustaining. We must ensure that independent voices – including independent journalists and civil society actors – can be heard without fear or interference.
Within the OSCE, Norway remains a strong advocate for media freedom and the safety of journalists. We fully support the mandate and work of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, and emphasize the importance of preserving the autonomy of the office. We call on all participating States to take the necessary steps to implement their OSCE commitments in this area. Media freedom and journalist safety are cornerstones of our common security.
Let us work together to build societies where truth can thrive, and where public discourse is open, inclusive, and informed.
Thank you.