OSCE Media freedom representative welcomes Russian Supreme Court's resolution on civil libel lawsuits

VIENNA, 21 September 2010 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, welcomed today the adoption by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of a resolution that protects media in civil defamation lawsuits.

"This ruling is a significant step toward ensuring the media's right to seek and impart information," Mijatovic said.

The Supreme Court resolution, which was made public on 17 September, says the amount of damages awarded by courts in civil libel lawsuits should be "reasonable and justified" and "should not be conducive to media-freedom violations."

The resolution also says that civil defamation lawsuits should serve only to decide on damages for physical or moral harm, and that they should not restrict individuals' right to express opinions, to receive and impart information without authorities' interference.

"By preventing abuses and setting reasonable limits on compensation, this resolution should deter ill-wishers from suing media outlets for political or economic incentives. It should also contribute to eliminating self-censorship and protecting a free and vibrant public debate," Mijatovic said.

"It is now up to the Russian courts to fully implement this new resolution and offer journalists and the media adequate protection and defence."

The new resolution complements a 15 June 2010 Supreme Court ruling that instructed lower courts to implement the 1991 Media Law in line with international media freedom-standards.