OSCE media watchdog criticises U.S. Patriot Act

VIENNA, 23 January 2003 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Freimut Duve, today criticised the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in the United States for monitoring book-buyers and readers by investigating library records, newspaper subscriptions and bookstore receipts of customers under the Patriot Act.

"Governmental prerogatives are being used in a way that might intimidate citizens from exercising their right to freedom of expression," he told the OSCE Permanent Council, the Organization's main regular decision-making body. He is looking into apparently similar situations in some states in Western Europe.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media has asked for clarifications from the U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell.

In his comments to the Permanent Council, Mr. Duve said it might well be that the FBI and the INS "have not recognized the significance of their steps for freedom of ideas."

"I trust that the freedom of expression will not be allowed to be jeopardized in the country we consider the cradle of that freedom," he added.