ECT reacts about Top Channel’s fine

The Director of this organization, Ross Biggam, says that if there are unclear matters by the end of the trail, the TV station should address to the European Court of Human Rights, in Strasbourg.

“If you find that the penalty is not proportional, in this case 400.000 EUR, which brings a shock to the media freedom, we would encourage the journalists and the respective television, when the Albanian trial is over, to appeal at the European Court of Human Rights, because this is an important precedent for all European broadcasters”, Biggam declared.

He adds that with time, people have established a balance between the importance of privacy and the freedom of speech usage.

“Most European TV stations are allowed to use hidden cameras in special occasions. They are not allowed for privacy issues, but the camera can be used if it fulfills two conditions: one is when the journalist is unable to guarantee these videos in any other way, since if he would visit the Minister with a camera crew, the Minister would hold a different behavior. The second important condition is the public interest. From outside, it seems that there is a clear public interest, when there is such a serious behavior of a politician. Most European jurisdictions, based on the facts of this case, would have the freedom of speech triumphing over privacy, and the journalists and broadcasters would be free of any charges”, Biggam declared.

Prepared by: ARTA TOZAJ

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