OSCE media freedom representative welcomes decision by European Court of Human Rights to safeguard phone data of Ukrainian journalist

VIENNA, 19 September 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed yesterday’s decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on an interim measure which indicates to the Ukrainian authorities to abstain from accessing the mobile telephone data of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) investigative reporter Natalya Sedletska.

“I welcome the swift action of the European Court of Human Rights to protect mobile phone data of an investigative journalist, pending full complaint to the court. Investigative journalism plays the essential role of a watchdog in societies and journalists must be able to protect their sources,” said Désir.

On August 27, a court in Kyiv approved a request from the Prosecutor-General's Office to allow investigators to review any data from Sedletska's mobile telephone from 1 July 2016 through to 30 November 2017. This is part of a criminal investigation into the alleged disclosure of state secrets to journalists in 2017 by a high-level public official.

At the beginning of September the Representative expressed concern about this decision and issued a public call to the Ukrainian authorities to ensure that all steps in line with international standards and OSCE commitments are taken to respect Sedletska’s privilege to keep her sources confidential (see: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/392555).

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He 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.