OSCE-backed Skopje conference calls for decriminalizing libel

SKOPJE, 10 February 2006 - Conference participants here have offered full support to the Government in preparing changes in the country's criminal code to abolish imprisonment for libel changes and in developing efficient independent media self-regulatory bodies.

The two-day international event that ended today in Skopje was organized by the Association of Journalists and the Macedonian Institute of Media, was supported by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje and the Vienna-based Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

Justice Minister Meri Mladenovska said that her Ministry accepted the challenge to begin discussion of decriminalizing libel as part of a broader process. "We will analyze the situation and propose changes to the criminal code, removing prison sentences as a penalty option," she said.

Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, said: "The commitment on the part of local politicians is an important step towards improving the legislative framework for free journalism. We stand ready to continue our support to the authorities."

Governmental officials, legislators, legal experts and media freedom activists from OSCE participating States also discussed the role of the civil society in promoting changes, legal aspects of decriminalizing defamation, civil code penalties, the balance between freedom of expression and the protection of reputation, as well as the ethics of journalism.