OSCE Representative lauds Norwegian Supreme Court’s ruling preventing seized journalistic material from being used in terrorism investigation

VIENNA, 24 November 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Norway requiring police to return footage of radicalized Norwegian youth that was seized from a film-maker in Oslo. 

“This ruling sends a strong signal of the need to protect investigative journalism in order to secure the public’s right to information,” Mijatović said. “It should serve as a precedent for how similar issues should be dealt with by other OSCE participating States.”  

In June this year, police seized raw film footage at the home of independent film-maker Ulrik Imtiaz Rolfsen, without a warrant. The material contained footage of an 18-year-old radicalized Norwegian who was arrested on his way to Syria and charged with aiding and assisting a terrorist organization.

In its ruling of 20 November, the Supreme Court concluded that the unpublished material could reveal confidential sources. The Court stated that Rolfsen’s film project lies at the core of investigative journalism and that it addresses a serious problem with a high degree of public interest. According to the Court, the protection of Rolfsen’s sources was considered crucial for completing the documentary.

“I fully respect governments’ legitimate right to fight terrorism, but the protection of journalists’ sources is vital to media freedom,” Mijatović said. “Journalists should not be forced to hand over their research and unpublished material to law enforcement agencies as this might have a chilling effect on journalistic activities.”

An English-language translation of the Supreme Court’s ruling is available at www.osce.org/fom/207201.

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.