OSCE media freedom representative welcomes decision to allow new media reporting in Russian commercial courts
BAKU, 7 November 2012 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, today welcomed the decision of the Supreme Commercial Court in Russia to make commercial courts in Russia more transparent and open to the media.
“I highlight the innovative approach of the top court to allow reporting using new media and the Internet in addition to traditional press and broadcasting,” said Mijatović, commenting a resolution adopted at a plenary meeting of the Supreme Commercial Court.
The resolution instructs the judges of such courts to allow text reporting from court sessions via social media and the Internet using personal technical means without requiring any special permission or notification of the presiding judge or sides of the parties in the proceedings.
“I welcome the Supreme Commercial Court’s establishment of a presumption that it is permissible to use photo, video and film to record open court proceedings, as well as live transmissions through radio, TV or the Internet,” said Mijatović. “The resolution permits a ban on such recordings only for the protection of fundamental human rights.”
The resolution also instructs judges not to prevent citizens including journalists from being present in the courtroom during open hearings if there are no available seats. In cases when a courtroom cannot seat all those wishing to attend, a live broadcast of the session may be arranged.
Mijatović is currently on a visit to Baku.