Press release
OSCE media freedom representative praises Skopje's abolishment of prison sentences for defamation
- Date:
- Place:
- VIENNA
- Source:
- OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, OSCE Mission to Skopje
- Fields of work:
- Media freedom and development
VIENNA, 11 May 2006 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, has welcomed the adoption by the Parliament in Skopje of amendments to the Criminal Code, which abolish imprisonment as a punishment for defamation.
"This impressive development is in line with our ongoing campaign against criminalization of defamation," said Haraszti.
"Imprisonment for speech offences, especially when committed in criticising public figures, is always a disproportionate punishment. It exerts a chilling effect on free discussion of public affairs."
In February, the Representative, together with the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje co-sponsored an international conference in Skopje, during which State authorities, legal experts, civil society and media activists from many OSCE participating States shared best practices on the process of decriminalizing defamation.
The passing of the amendments was the result of long-term efforts by local authorities, in particular the Ministry of Justice, as well as media groups, such as the Association of Journalists and the Macedonian Institute for the Media.
"This reform will have a liberating effect on journalists, and will help them to fulfil their responsibilities in a more professional way. If they are not under threat of being imprisoned for practicing their profession, editors, reporters and commentators will perform their duty by informing citizens, and contribute to greater transparency in public life," added Miklos Haraszti.
"I am pleased that 'young democracies' are taking the lead in reforming their legal provisions and removing the criminal libel laws from the statute books, as my Office has been urging. The authorities in Skopje have set a good example for many OSCE participating States."
The Representative added that criminalization of speech offences, as well as disproportionate civil damages, remain a major challenge for freedom of expression in the OSCE region.
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