Criminal prosecution of investigative journalist in Slovenia poses a threat to free media, says OSCE Representative

VIENNA, 10 October 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said that the criminal trial against journalist Anuška Delić could present a threat to media freedom and also stifle investigative journalism in Slovenia.

“In cases like these, national security concerns must be properly weighed against public interest. But journalists must be able to report on issues of public interest free from fear of prosecution and potential imprisonment,” Mijatović said.

Delić, an investigative journalist with the daily newspaper Delo, is being prosecuted for publishing classified information, allegedly leaked from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (SOVA) in November 2011. A preliminary hearing on the case will start on 15 October. If convicted, Delić faces up to three years in prison.

Mijatović originally raised the case of Delić in a letter to the Slovenian Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec on 27 February this year (see the Representative’s Regular Report to the Permanent Council, 19 June 2014: www.osce.org/fom/119957).   

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.