OSCE Media Freedom Official Could Stay in Office If No Replacement Approved

GENEVA (Sputnik) — The incumbent Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic could stay in office, if the organization's member states do not appoint a new candidate, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier said Friday.

According to the Mandate of the OSCE Representation on Freedom of the Media, a chairman could be appointed for a three-year term after consultations with the OSCE member states. The tenure could be extended for one further term. Bosnia and Herzegovina's Mijatovic took over the post in March 2010.

"We will see, if by the end of the year they [OSCE states] manage to appoint a new one [Representative on Freedom of the Media], otherwise Dunja may be extended further. But that is really decision of the countries and depends on the candidates," Zannier told RIA Novosti.

He added that the division within the OSCE showed that it could be "difficult to work on appointments."

The activities of the representative on Freedom of the Media include observing media developments as part of an early warning function and helping member states to adhere to their commitments in the spheres of freedom of expression and media, the OSCE website reads.