OSCE media freedom representative concerned over detention of Dutch journalists for refusing to name source

VIENNA, 30 November 2006 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, said today that he was concerned about the detention of two Dutch journalists for refusing to reveal their sources.

Bart Mos and Joost de Haas of the daily de Telegraaf were detained in the Hague on 27 November and ordered to disclose who in the Dutch intelligence service supplied them with confidential information on contacts between local criminals and law enforcement officials.

"I consider the detention of the journalists a deeply worrying development that has a chilling effect on the media and on their potential sources," wrote Miklos Haraszti in a letter to the Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot.

"If journalists are obliged to disclose their confidential sources, they will become an effective investigative tool for law enforcers; and investigative journalism will not be possible."

Mr. Haraszti also encouraged the Dutch Government to consider a new law to protect the confidential sources of journalists. "Reporters in The Netherlands, unlike in many other democracies, lack this safeguard," he said.

"The right to refuse to disclose journalistic sources should be protected by law. It should be a journalist's right to freely access information, and handle the sources in confidence, as this is paramount for free reporting and discussion of public issues," added Mr. Haraszti.