Mijatović welcomes dropped charges against journalist in Slovenia

VIENNA, 17 April 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed the recent decision to drop all charges against Slovenian journalist Anuška Delić.
“I am pleased to learn that all charges against Delić have been dropped,” Mijatović said. “Members of the media should never have to fear facing criminal charges for doing their work, period.”
Delić, an investigative journalist with the daily newspaper Delo, was prosecuted for publishing classified information, allegedly leaked from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (SOVA) in November 2011. On 15 April, the prosecutor dropped all charges.
In a letter on 10 April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Karl Erjavec informed the Representative about the intention of the authorities to amend article 260 of the Criminal Code which refers to disclosure of classified information, in order to introduce a partial exclusion of criminal liability for disclosure of classified information if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs maintaining its secrecy.
“It is encouraging that the authorities have started this process and that they have included the journalists’ associations in their public consultation,” Mijatović said.
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.