VIENNA, 21 April 2026 - Ensuring the safety of journalists was at the center of the visit to Bern, Switzerland, by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Ambassador Jan Braathu last week for the annual meeting of the RFoM National Focal Points on Safety of Journalists.

In the course of his visit, the Representative held insightful meetings with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, as well as representatives of the Swiss Federal Office of Communications and the Foreign Ministry's Human Rights Division.

Organized under the auspices of the Safety of Journalists project and in close co-operation with the 2026 Swiss Chairpersonship of the OSCE, the National Focal Points (NFPs) meeting highlighted Switzerland's National Action Plan for the Safety of Media Professionals, featuring concrete measures on prevention, protection, and legal frameworks. Furthermore, the meeting provided a platform to present the upcoming RFoM report on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP), highlighting common challenges and key recommendations in this area. In addition, the issue of transnational repression targeting journalists was discussed in depth, prompting a substantive exchange with National Focal Points, who shared national measures aimed at addressing this phenomenon.

National Focal Points from 22 participating States also presented national measures and initiatives related to journalists' safety, including progress in the implementation of OSCE Ministerial Council Decision 3/18 on the Safety of Journalists - and took part in a study visit to the Federal Palace Media Centre.

"OSCE Ministerial Council Decision 3/18 on the Safety of Journalists is more important than ever and should not remain merely on paper, but be reflected in laws, policies and daily practice," Braathu said. "Our initiative of direct engagement with National Focal Points represents concrete action to strengthen our joint OSCE commitments and sends an encouraging signal in our efforts to ensure safer working conditions for media professionals in the OSCE area."

During his visit to Switzerland, the RFoM also met with the Swiss Press Council, the public service broadcaster SRG, media freedom organizations and journalistic associations Reporters sans frontières Switzerland and Syndicom. These exchanges provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen synergies in support of media freedom within the OSCE agenda to promote peace and security.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at rfom.osce.org, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom