OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today condemned the shooting of an Ohio news photographer by police.

"It is appalling that a news photographer was shot by a police officer in Ohio," Desir said. "While there is every reason to believe that the incident was the result of an accident, a swift and thorough investigation is essential," he stressed.

According to reports, Andy Grimm, a photographer for the Ohio-based New Carlisle News, was shot without warning while taking weather-related photographs when a sheriff’s deputy mistook his camera for a weapon.

"The safety of journalists must be a top priority for all authorities. Journalists and all those working in the media must be able to freely carry out their work in safety," Désir stated.

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