OSCE trains journalists in online media

The OSCE is holding a two-day seminar on October 23 and 24 to train journalists from Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine in on-line media. The trainees will study in particular the freedom, professionalism and sustainability of Internet media in Eastern Europe, the OSCE Mission to Moldova said in a press release. Organized jointly by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and the OSCE Mission to Moldova,the event brings together some 30 online media professionals. Dunja Mijatović, the OSCE media freedom representative, has urged governments to preserve freedom on the Internet in the region where, as elsewhere, there have been attempts to restrict it. “We aim to show journalists that professionalism and solidarity of the regional media community can do a great deal to defend Internet freedom,” said Dunja Mijatović in a message to the participants. International and leading national experts on online media will facilitate discussions on emerging challenges to online media related to content, marketing, national laws and commercial success. Jan Plešinger, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, said the fact that the first regional event of this kind is hosted by Moldova is inspiring, expressing his hope that journalists from these three countries will benefit from this course and establish useful contacts with colleagues from the neighboring states.