The annual summit on democracy, freedom and the media is taking place in Vienna on 17th and 18th March. In the historic Hofburg (Imperial governing compound), 57 member states of the Organization for Security Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), plus dozen of their partners from the Middle East and Asia, will discuss the current geopolitical moment and the security challenges of today. Media and democratization are an inseparable part of any sustainable European security, socio-political and economic stability.
Opening an important panel before the final part of the summit, Modern Diplomacy along with the International Institute IFIMES, scientific journal European Perspectives, and the platform for cultural exchanges and enhancements Culture for Peace will elaborate on the connection between Media, Disruptions (Conflicts, Technologies), Truth and Reconciliation, without which any future of Europe is unthinkable. The high-level summit will gather diplomats and media from around the world. The anticipation is record high this year, since any forthcoming, just resolution of the Ukrainian crisis will not be possible without media freedom and the OSCE.
The OSCE is the second largest multilateral system in the world, right after the United Nations. A unique organization that brings together everyone from Vancouver to Vladivostok, it began as a strategic conference to relax tensions between the Western and Soviet blocs, in the form of the Helsinki Decalogue in 1975.
The role of media in conflict and humanitarian crises, reflecting on Intl Humanitarian Law and Intl Human Rights Law: Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting I
17 – 18 March 2025
IFIMES SIDE EVENT
Title: Media, Disruptions (Conflicts, Technologies), Truth and Reconciliation
Description of the panel:
Ever since the Helsinki Decalogue is set in motion in 1975, the signatory states have recognized the universal significance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the freedom of media. The essential importance of democratic institutions has been repeatedly reafirmed by the OSCE forums and members as foundational commitments, in both Copenhagen of 1990 and Moscow of 1991, including the significance of independent media for democracy enhancement.
Media is pivotal in promoting human rights, inclusion, equality, social cohesion – notably for the conflict prevention, tensions relaxation, and when conflicts are unavoidable for the fast and decisive truth and reconciliation. This was continuously stated by the OSCE Representatives on Freedom of the Media and other OSCE-affiliated and non-affiliated FORAs over the past decades.
In the context of disruptions, coming through the societal polarisations, armed conflicts or disruptive (usage of) technologies, independent media play an essential role in informing the public about events and developments on the ground, in supporting the documentation of possible violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, and in contributing to accountability efforts.
When comes to male fidei utilisation of technology, the OSCE-world faces a paradigm-shifting challenge as AI technologies simultaneously empower and undermine its core mandates in conflict prevention, human rights protection, and media freedom.
Our panel examines AI’s role as threat to global order and tool for threat mitigation through the prism of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, focusing on emergent threats like deepfakes while exploring disinformation mitigation. Because OSCE must quickly reconcile technological innovation with its foundational commitments to comprehensive security, panel members will discuss concrete examples of the use and misuse of AI and practical strategies for addressing them.
Overall, our panel will serve as a tour-de-table platform for OSCE participating States, civil society, media professionals, state actors, and international organizations to discuss and address these complex challenges. Discussions will focus on strategies to ensure integrity and accountability, media trust restoration, conflict prevention and reconciliation, as well as to strengthen digital media literacy (of ‘deep technology’ involvement) – all aimed at the sustainable future of societal resilience.
Short note about the Side-event organizer:
The International Institute IFIMES is the EU registered policy facilitating think-tank of the special consultative status with the United Nations (EcoSoc). Staffers and associates of the Institute are reputable individuals and organisations from 4 continents (from Canada to Japan), while its Board is composed of former Presidents, Prime ministers and heads of leading international organisations such as (OECD or OSCE, etc.)
Institute is also the publisher of the international scientific journal European Perspectives.
Panel composition:
Welcome note
Media, Disruptions, Truth and Reconciliation: Zijad Becirovic, IFIMES Director
Keynote:
“Global organisations, Media, Freedomes”, Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary UN ECE (2017-23)
“Fragmentation of Media reality”, Steve Clemons, Washington insider, journalist and activist
Panelists:
“Technology and Media authenticity”, Nathan Coyle, Digital activist, author and expert in civic innovation and peace technology
“Journalism, Truth, Integrity”, Dr. Harvey Dzodin, media commentator and author, former vice president of ABC-TV and political appointee in Carter administration
“Media, AI, Human Rights”, Dr. Philipe Reinisch, Project Manager, IoT4CPS, of flagship Austrian government Cyber-Security initiative, Former Director, Cyber security programs, Kuratorium Sicheres
Laudem: Nora Wolf, IFIMES Geneva (HoMA) and Kamila Bogdanova, IFIMES Information Officer, Vienna
Moderator: Anis H. Bajrektarevic, prof. Intl. Law and Global Pol. Studies, Swiss
“Bright Tomorrow”, Antonije Pusic RA (Short video-art performance)
Organised by
International Institute IFIMES in cooperation with the Scientific Magazine European Perspectives
Associated media partners:
Modern Diplomacy, Bulgaria – www.moderndiplomacy.eu
OVI Magazine, Finland (OSCE CiO 2025)
Times of Malta – Malta (OSCE CiO 2024)