OSCE Representative lauds ruling that finds illegal monitoring of journalists in Norway

BISHKEK, 30 September 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed a decision by the Norwegian Data Protection Authority (DPA) responding to the Armed Forces’ illegal registration of nine investigative journalists.

“Registration and monitoring of journalists has a negative effect on journalist’s ability to get information and build confidence with their sources,” Mijatović said. “It can never be justified when journalists are simply doing their job of critical reporting.”

Following an investigative story in a daily newspaper in 2011, an army unit collected information on the journalists that were available to the armed forces’ intelligence service.

On 12 September the DPA ruled that even though the files did not contain comprehensive nor particularly sensitive information, the journalists’ right of privacy was violated. It also noted the fact that the journalist’s activities were subsequently considered a risk to national security thus putting them in a bad light.

Mijatović is in Bishkek as a special guest of PEN International at its 80th World Congress.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.