03. 06. 2014

OSCE CALLS ON U.S. TO DROP CASE AGAINST JOURNALIST!

03.06.2014 (Beta, Kurir) - OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media has once again called for the adoption of a law that would protect journalists and their sources. "The right of journalists to protect their sources is one of the fundamental rights of investigative journalism and must be protected," said Mijatović.

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today that she was disappointed by the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court which may force a reporter to reveal their sources in criminal proceedings.

The decision of the U.S. highest court endorses a previous judgment by the United States Court of Appeals in Virginia which also affirmed a ruling requiring James Risen, a reporter for The New York Times, to testify in the criminal trial of a former Central Intelligence Agency official charged with disclosing classified information to the reporter.

"It is not acceptable to compel a journalist to testify and reveal their sources when writing about matters of public importance," said Mijatović in a statement released by her office.

She pointed out that the U.S. Department of Justice still has a chance to refrain from further actions that might lead to the conviction of Risen to jail for contempt if he refuses to testify.

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media has once again called for the adoption of a law that would protect journalists and their sources. "The right of journalists to protect their sources is one of the fundamental rights of investigative journalism and must be protected," said Mijatović.