OSCE media freedom representative urges Romanian authorities to finalize decriminalization of libel

VIENNA, 7 May 2013 – OSCE media freedom representative Dunja Mijatović expressed concern today over a recent decision of the Constitutional Court that prevents the decriminalization of speech offenses in Romania and called for a Constitutional amendment to ban criminal defamation.

The 29 April ruling of the Constitutional Court overturned a High Court of Cassation and Justice ruling that effectively decriminalized insult and libel.

“The decision of the Constitutional Court runs against earlier efforts to decriminalize speech offenses in Romania,” Mijatović wrote in a letter to Foreign Minister Titus Corlățean.

Mijatović recalled President Traian Basescu’s recent message on World Press Freedom Day in support of decriminalization of insult and libel. “I support the notion that regulation and control of the media must come from within the industry and journalists themselves,” Mijatović said.

”The authorities should take the opportunity to decriminalize defamation as part of a current move to amend the Constitution,” Mijatovic said. “By decriminalizing speech offences, Romania would cement its position in the progressive group of countries that recognize the importance of journalists and media being able to perform their job without fear to be criminally prosecuted.”