OSCE second Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting on the topic of “Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Media with a Special Focus on Conflict Situations, Including Protection of Journalists and Reporting during Armed Conflict”, organized by the German OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office, Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) took place from 27 to 28 October 2016 in Vienna, Austria. Representatives of OSCE participating States, OSCE institutions, and OSCE executive structures, representatives of inter-governmental organizations, legal professionals, representatives of civil society and researchers from 57 participating States discussed the safety of journalists in armed conflict, the media co- and self-regulation as an instrument to improve ethical standards and counter propaganda, the roles of the OSCE, governments and the civil society to protect media freedom in times of crisis.
On the second day of the meeting, on October 28, discussions were held on the topic of “The roles of the OSCE, governments and the civil society to protect media freedom in times of crisis”. Participated in the discussions, Head of Azerbaijan Institute for Democracy and Human Rights Ahmad Shahidov made a speech. Pointed out the conflicts, wars and confrontations in the world, human rights defender Ahmad Shahidov said that over a period of more than 25 years Azerbaijan suffers from terrorism, 20 percent of territories remains under the occupation by Armenia and Europe’s leading media outlets apply double standards in relation to the conflict of Nagornoy Karabakh.
In general, the OSCE member countries and their media outlets approach to conflicts from point of double standards and armenian media is also part of an aggressive policy of Armenian authorities, said Ahmad Shahidov.