Journalists in Slovenia should not face criminal charges for their work, OSCE Representative says

VIENNA, 27 February 2015 – Slovenian authorities should amend provisions in the Criminal Code allowing for the prosecution of journalists, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today, following questioning of two journalists by the state public prosecutor in a defamation case.

“Criminal prosecution of journalists for what they say or write is unacceptable. Members of the media must be able to report on issues of public interest free from fear of prosecution and potential imprisonment,” Mijatović said, noting there have been five cases in Slovenia in the last 12 months with journalists either indicted or threatened with criminal charges for their reporting.

Primož Cirman and Tomaž Modić, journalists with the Dnevnik in Ljubljana, were brought before an investigating judge over an alleged insult against the Competition Protection Agency (AVK) and some of its staff. If convicted, the journalists face up to six months in prison.

“Slovenian authorities should amend this law to prevent further prosecution of journalists,” Mijatović said, offering her office’s legal expertise toward this reform.

The Criminal Code, amended in November 2008, has already permitted for charges against journalist Anuška Delić, who faces up to three years in prison (the Representative’s statement on this case is available at www.osce.org/fom/125386). Further, criminal complaints have allegedly been raised against Peter Lovšin and Meta Roglič, journalists with the Dnevnik in Ljubljana. The Representative has intervened on all of these cases with the authorities, and urged them to amend the Criminal Code to ensure that the public interest prevails.

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.