COMPARATIVE MEDIA LAW Ghent University Art. 10 and the European Convention of Human Rights Dirk...

COMPARATIVE COMPARATIVE MEDIA LAWMEDIA LAW

Ghent UniversityGhent University

Art. 10 and the European Art. 10 and the European Convention of Human RightsConvention of Human Rights

Dirk VOORHOOFDirk VOORHOOFGhent UniversityGhent University

www.psw.ugent.be/dvwww.psw.ugent.be/dv

Article 10 European Convention Article 10 European Convention HRHR

What do we know about the European What do we know about the European Convention on Human Rights?Convention on Human Rights?

How to bring a case before the Court?How to bring a case before the Court?

Why do we need freedom of expression?Why do we need freedom of expression?

How Article 10 of the Convention protects How Article 10 of the Convention protects the freedom of expression?the freedom of expression?

What do we know about the European What do we know about the European Convention on Human Rights?Convention on Human Rights?

Historical background: post world war IIHistorical background: post world war II Collective enforcement of human rights and Collective enforcement of human rights and

fundamental freedomsfundamental freedoms within COE + ECHR within COE + ECHR+ direct applicability + direct applicability

Supervision by European CourtSupervision by European Court Right of individual petitionRight of individual petition

Actually: 47member-states COEActually: 47member-states COE(most recent: Montenegro 2007, Monaco 2005, (most recent: Montenegro 2007, Monaco 2005, Serbia/Montenegro 2003, Bosnia & Herzegovina 2002, Armenia Serbia/Montenegro 2003, Bosnia & Herzegovina 2002, Armenia and Azerbaijan 2001, Russian Federation 1996, Fyrom, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan 2001, Russian Federation 1996, Fyrom, Ukraine, Albania, Latvia, Moldova 1995)Albania, Latvia, Moldova 1995)

Rights and freedoms protectedRights and freedoms protected

Right to life, prohibition of torture (2-3)Right to life, prohibition of torture (2-3) Prohibition of slavery and forced labour (4)Prohibition of slavery and forced labour (4) Right to liberty and security (5)Right to liberty and security (5)


Right to a fair trial (6)Right to a fair trial (6)– Fair and public hearing (public + exceptions) Fair and public hearing (public + exceptions)

(..)(..)– Independant and impartial tribunalIndependant and impartial tribunal– Within a reasonable timeWithin a reasonable time– Judgment pronounced publicly (+ exceptions)Judgment pronounced publicly (+ exceptions)– Presumption of innocencePresumption of innocence

No punishment without law (7)No punishment without law (7)


Right to respect for private and family life, Right to respect for private and family life, right to marry and to found a family right to marry and to found a family (8 and 12)(8 and 12)

Freedom of thought, conscience, religion Freedom of thought, conscience, religion (9)(9)

Freedom of expression (10)Freedom of expression (10) Freedom of assembly and association (11)Freedom of assembly and association (11)


Right to an effective remedy (in case of Right to an effective remedy (in case of violation of one of these rights and violation of one of these rights and freedoms) (13)freedoms) (13)

Prohibition of discrimination (rights and Prohibition of discrimination (rights and freedoms must be secured without freedoms must be secured without discrimination on any ground) (14)discrimination on any ground) (14)

Prohibition of abuse of rights (if aim is Prohibition of abuse of rights (if aim is destruction of any of these rights and destruction of any of these rights and freedoms) (17)freedoms) (17)


ECHR is minimum guarantee (53)ECHR is minimum guarantee (53)

+ + Protocols !Protocols !

– n° 1: property, right to education, free electionsn° 1: property, right to education, free elections– n° 4: prohibition of collective expulsion of aliensn° 4: prohibition of collective expulsion of aliens– n° 6: abolition of death penaltyn° 6: abolition of death penalty– n° 12: general prohibition of discriminationn° 12: general prohibition of discrimination– n° 14: reorganisation of procedure (Russia!!)n° 14: reorganisation of procedure (Russia!!)

Freedom of Expression & DemocracyFreedom of Expression & Democracy

Freedom of Expression: Freedom of Expression: an essential value/instrument an essential value/instrument in a democratic societyin a democratic society

Article 10 ConventionArticle 10 Convention

WHY protecting freedom of WHY protecting freedom of expression?expression?

Why protecting freedom of expression?Why protecting freedom of expression?

– Right of Right of individualindividual to express opinion to express opinion– Right of the Right of the publicpublic “to be properly “to be properly

informed”informed”– Right of Right of societysociety - “free flow of - “free flow of

information“information“– Truth”-finding < conflicting opinions, Truth”-finding < conflicting opinions,

diversitydiversity– Critical function, enlightenmentCritical function, enlightenment– Media as “public watchdog”Media as “public watchdog”

Why protecting Why protecting Media Freedom?Media Freedom?

What are the functions of the media ?What are the functions of the media ?

Functions of the MediaFunctions of the Media

– Expression, Expression, – News & Information News & Information – Persuasion (propaganda - mobilisation)Persuasion (propaganda - mobilisation)– Education, CultureEducation, Culture– Leisure/EntertainmentLeisure/Entertainment– Commercial, EconomicCommercial, Economic– National or cultural identityNational or cultural identity– DemocraticDemocratic

Freedom as expression Freedom as expression and Media Lawand Media Law

Freedom of Expression is not absolute :Freedom of Expression is not absolute :– Social responsibility!Social responsibility!

RegulationRegulation– ContentContent– Media organisationsMedia organisations– ChannelsChannels– Financial ressources/advertisingFinancial ressources/advertising– Media workers, professionals Media workers, professionals

(journalists)(journalists)

Freedom of expression paradoxFreedom of expression paradox

1.1. NECESSARY in a democratic societyNECESSARY in a democratic society

+ restrictions/sanctions/interferences+ restrictions/sanctions/interferences IF necessary in democratic society IF necessary in democratic society

2.2. GUARANTEE for other (human) rightsGUARANTEE for other (human) rights

+ LIMITED because of + LIMITED because of other (human) rights other (human) rights

Fox and other Human RightsFox and other Human Rights

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION MAY CONFLICT WITHFREEDOM OF EXPRESSION MAY CONFLICT WITH

° right of privacy (art. 8)° right of privacy (art. 8)° right to a fair trial (art. 6) ° right to a fair trial (art. 6) + + presumption of innocencepresumption of innocence

° prohibition of discrimination (art. 14)° prohibition of discrimination (art. 14)

° property rights (Art. 1 Protocol 1)° property rights (Art. 1 Protocol 1)

Fox and other Human RightsFox and other Human Rights

BUT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS AT THE BUT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS AT THE SAME TIME GUARANTEE FOR PROTECTION SAME TIME GUARANTEE FOR PROTECTION OF OTHER HUMAN RIGHTSOF OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS

° right to a fair trial (art. 6)° right to a fair trial (art. 6)° prohibition of discrimination (art. 14)° prohibition of discrimination (art. 14)° right of free elections (art. 3 Prot. 1)° right of free elections (art. 3 Prot. 1)

Fox and Media LawFox and Media Law

Difficult balanceDifficult balance

Risk of restricting freedom of expressionRisk of restricting freedom of expressionby national authoritiesby national authorities

= Risk of abundant, disproportionate = Risk of abundant, disproportionate media-regulationmedia-regulation

Supervision by ECtHR (Strasbourg)Supervision by ECtHR (Strasbourg)

Fox and Media LawFox and Media Law

The perspective of Article 10 EConventionThe perspective of Article 10 EConvention

Basic notions onBasic notions on

- E Convention HR- E Convention HR

- E Court + procedure- E Court + procedure- Article 10 of the Convention- Article 10 of the Convention

How to bring a case before the ECtHRHow to bring a case before the ECtHR

1. 1. National remediesNational remedies exhausted ? exhausted ?

2. Within 2. Within 6 months6 months period ? period ? – After final decision was takenAfter final decision was taken

3. 3. InfringementInfringement by public authorities ? by public authorities ?– + “(indirect) horizontal effect”+ “(indirect) horizontal effect”

4. 4. VictimVictim ? ?– no “no “actio popularisactio popularis””– no evaluation of law “no evaluation of law “in abstractoin abstracto””– private person or organisationprivate person or organisation

5. Not “5. Not “prima facieprima facie” inadmissible?” inadmissible?

Organisation of the ECtHROrganisation of the ECtHR

5 Sections (9/10)5 Sections (9/10)

Committees (3)Committees (3)

Chambers (7)Chambers (7)

Grand Chamber (17) / Grand Chamber (17) / Panel of 5 judges Panel of 5 judges

ECtHR: procedureECtHR: procedure

1. 1. RegistrationRegistration of the complaint of the complaint 2. 2. Inadmissible Inadmissible

if unanimity “prima facie”if unanimity “prima facie” CommitteeCommittee “ “Manifestly ill-founded”Manifestly ill-founded”

3. Decision on 3. Decision on admissibilityadmissibility by by ChamberChamber (- or +)(- or +)

(..)(..)


4. 4. JudgmentJudgment by Chamber by Chamber – Evt. direct by Evt. direct by Grand ChamberGrand Chamber if serious if serious

question of interpretation or risk of question of interpretation or risk of inconsistency with previous judgment, unless inconsistency with previous judgment, unless one of parties objectsone of parties objects

– Final after 3 month period / if no referralFinal after 3 month period / if no referral

5. 5. JudgmentJudgment by Grand Chamber by Grand Chamber after after referralreferral– Decision panel of 5 -> Grand ChamberDecision panel of 5 -> Grand Chamber– Final judgment by Grand ChamberFinal judgment by Grand Chamber


Ex officioEx officio judge elected in respect of State Party judge elected in respect of State Party concerned (or ad hoc judge)concerned (or ad hoc judge)

Possibility of Possibility of inter-State applicationsinter-State applications

Possibility of Possibility of third party interventionthird party intervention


Powers of the Powers of the Grand ChamberGrand Chamber

– ““first instance”: case raises serious questions first instance”: case raises serious questions (..) or risk of inconsistency with previously (..) or risk of inconsistency with previously delivered judgment by the Courtdelivered judgment by the Court

– ““appeal”: after referral (and panel decision) if appeal”: after referral (and panel decision) if case raises serious questions affecting the case raises serious questions affecting the interpretation or application of the Convention, interpretation or application of the Convention, or or serious issue of general importance serious issue of general importance

– Advisory opinion on request of ComMinistersAdvisory opinion on request of ComMinisters

ECtHR: possible outcomeECtHR: possible outcome

No registrationNo registration Inadmissible Inadmissible (Committee, Chamber)(Committee, Chamber) No violationNo violation Partly violation Partly violation (Sunday Times 2, Perna, Plon)(Sunday Times 2, Perna, Plon)

ViolationViolation

Court can also decide to strike application Court can also decide to strike application out of the list of casesout of the list of cases– !!! Eventually after friendly settlement!!! Eventually after friendly settlement

Impact of the ECtHR case lawImpact of the ECtHR case law

- Binding on respondent StateBinding on respondent State- Pecuniary and non-pecuniary damagesPecuniary and non-pecuniary damages- Reimbursement of costs and expensesReimbursement of costs and expenses- Committee of Ministers: verification ifCommittee of Ministers: verification if

state took adequate remedial measures state took adequate remedial measures to comply with obligations < judgment to comply with obligations < judgment

- Modification of lawModification of law- Development in domestic jurisprudence Development in domestic jurisprudence - Change in prosecution policy local authoritiesChange in prosecution policy local authorities- Reinstall applicants in former situationReinstall applicants in former situation- Re-opening case at domestic levelRe-opening case at domestic level

The ECHR and ECtHRThe ECHR and ECtHR

For more information onFor more information on

– The European Convention on Human RightsThe European Convention on Human Rights– The organisation of the CourtThe organisation of the Court– The procedure before the CourtThe procedure before the Court– The Court’s case lawThe Court’s case law

See also Protocol 14See also Protocol 14 = reorganisation of the procedure = reorganisation of the procedure

www.echr.coe.intwww.echr.coe.int

Article 10 ECHRArticle 10 ECHR

§ 1 Freedom of expression/information § 1 Freedom of expression/information

without interference without interference by public authorities by public authorities

§ 2 Exercise of this freedom § 2 Exercise of this freedom < duties and responsibilities < duties and responsibilities

-> formalities, -> formalities, restrictions,restrictions,

penaltiespenalties


§ 2 -> formalities, restrictions, penalties§ 2 -> formalities, restrictions, penalties

THREE CONDITIONSTHREE CONDITIONS MUST BE MUST BE FULFILLED FULFILLED

1/ Prescribed by law1/ Prescribed by law2/ Legitimate aim2/ Legitimate aim3/ “Necessary in democratic society”3/ “Necessary in democratic society”

Otherwise: violation of Article 10Otherwise: violation of Article 10

Article 10 ECHR Case lawArticle 10 ECHR Case law

1950 – 1969 : 1 (De Becker, struck out of the list)1950 – 1969 : 1 (De Becker, struck out of the list)

1970 – 1979 : 3 (Sunday Times)1970 – 1979 : 3 (Sunday Times)

1980 – 1989 : 12 (Barthold and Lingens)1980 – 1989 : 12 (Barthold and Lingens)

1990 – 1999 : 75 (38 violations)1990 – 1999 : 75 (38 violations)

2000 : 14 (10 violations)2000 : 14 (10 violations)2001 : 13 (8 violations)2001 : 13 (8 violations)2002 : 2002 : 26 (13 violations/9 friendly settlements) 26 (13 violations/9 friendly settlements)2003 :2003 : 30 (16 violations/5 friendly 30 (16 violations/5 friendly

settlements)settlements)2004 :2004 : 45 (30 violations/1 friendly 45 (30 violations/1 friendly

settlement)settlement)2005 : 2005 : 65 (45 violations/3 friendly setllements) 65 (45 violations/3 friendly setllements)2006 : 2006 : 85 (60 violations) 85 (60 violations)


1961 – 1991 : 24 in 30 years (less than 1/year)1961 – 1991 : 24 in 30 years (less than 1/year)

1992 – 2001 : 100 in 10 years (10/year)1992 – 2001 : 100 in 10 years (10/year)

Since 2000, more than 10/yearSince 2000, more than 10/year

2002 : 26 judgments on Article 10 / FOX2002 : 26 judgments on Article 10 / FOX





2007 ?2007 ?


Manifest added value of Strasbourg case law Manifest added value of Strasbourg case law based on Article 10 Conventionbased on Article 10 Convention

In many cases Court found a violation of In many cases Court found a violation of freedom of expression freedom of expression

and ‘overruled’ national/domestic courtsand ‘overruled’ national/domestic courtsconvicting media/journalistsconvicting media/journalists

Article 10 ECHR Case lawArticle 10 ECHR Case law“in the light of the case as a whole”“in the light of the case as a whole”

Public debate / public persons / private personsPublic debate / public persons / private persons Facts - information / value judgmentsFacts - information / value judgments Reliability/accuracyReliability/accuracy IntentionIntention Possible effect of expressionPossible effect of expression Proportionality of restriction/sanctionProportionality of restriction/sanction Legitimate aimLegitimate aim Margin of appreciationMargin of appreciation Journalistic ethicsJournalistic ethics Political/specific context/pressPolitical/specific context/press Positive obligations of member states!Positive obligations of member states!


Freedom of expression Freedom of expression is necessary in a democracy is necessary in a democracy (pluralism, tolerance, open debate)(pluralism, tolerance, open debate)

Restrictions on the freedom of Restrictions on the freedom of expression can be legitimised when expression can be legitimised when “necessary in a democratic society”“necessary in a democratic society”… … also restrictions are also restrictions are necessary in a democratic society necessary in a democratic society

COMPARATIVE MEDIA LAW Ghent University Art. 10 and the European Convention of Human Rights Dirk...

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