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Comparative Media Law & European Human Rights: Protection and Challenges

Explore the fundamentals of the European Convention on Human Rights with a focus on Article 10 and its implications for media freedom. Understand the historical context, protected rights, and the delicate balance between freedom of expression, democracy, and other human rights. Learn the procedures for bringing a case before the European Court of Human Rights and the complexities of media law in the modern world. Enhance your knowledge on the essential value of freedom of expression in a democratic society and the limitations imposed to safeguard other human rights. Delve into the functions of media and the paradox of regulating media freedom. Discover the interplay between freedom of expression and various human rights, and the challenges of balancing national regulations with the guarantee of fundamental freedoms. Gain insights into the enforcement mechanisms and supervision by the ECtHR in protecting human rights in the digital age.

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Comparative Media Law & European Human Rights: Protection and Challenges

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  1. COMPARATIVE MEDIA LAWGhent University Art. 10 and the European Convention of Human Rights Dirk VOORHOOFGhent Universitywww.psw.ugent.be/dv

  2. Article 10 European Convention HR • What do we know about the European Convention on Human Rights? • How to bring a case before the Court? • Why do we need freedom of expression? • How Article 10 of the Convention protects the freedom of expression?

  3. What do we know about the European Convention on Human Rights? • Historical background: post world war II • Collective enforcement of human rights and fundamental freedoms within COE + ECHR + direct applicability • Supervision by European Court • Right of individual petition • Actually: 47member-states COE(most recent: Montenegro 2007, Monaco 2005, Serbia/Montenegro 2003, Bosnia & Herzegovina 2002, Armenia and Azerbaijan 2001, Russian Federation 1996, Fyrom, Ukraine, Albania, Latvia, Moldova 1995)

  4. Rights and freedoms protected • Right to life, prohibition of torture (2-3) • Prohibition of slavery and forced labour (4) • Right to liberty and security (5)

  5. Rights and freedoms protected • Right to a fair trial (6) • Fair and public hearing (public + exceptions) (..) • Independant and impartial tribunal • Within a reasonable time • Judgment pronounced publicly (+ exceptions) • Presumption of innocence • No punishment without law (7)

  6. Rights and freedoms protected • Right to respect for private and family life, right to marry and to found a family (8 and 12) • Freedom of thought, conscience, religion (9) • Freedom of expression (10) • Freedom of assembly and association (11)

  7. Rights and freedoms protected • Right to an effective remedy (in case of violation of one of these rights and freedoms) (13) • Prohibition of discrimination (rights and freedoms must be secured without discrimination on any ground) (14) • Prohibition of abuse of rights (if aim is destruction of any of these rights and freedoms) (17)

  8. Rights and freedoms protected • ECHR is minimum guarantee (53) • + Protocols ! • n° 1: property, right to education, free elections • n° 4: prohibition of collective expulsion of aliens • n° 6: abolition of death penalty • n° 12: general prohibition of discrimination • n° 14: reorganisation of procedure (Russia!!)

  9. Freedom of Expression & Democracy • Freedom of Expression: an essential value/instrument in a democratic society •  Article 10 Convention • WHY protecting freedom of expression?

  10. Why protecting freedom of expression? • Right of individual to express opinion • Right of the public “to be properly informed” • Right of society - “free flow of information“ • Truth”-finding < conflicting opinions, diversity • Critical function, enlightenment • Media as “public watchdog”

  11. Why protecting Media Freedom? What are the functions of the media ?

  12. Functions of the Media • Expression, • News & Information • Persuasion (propaganda - mobilisation) • Education, Culture • Leisure/Entertainment • Commercial, Economic • National or cultural identity • Democratic

  13. Freedom as expression and Media Law • Freedom of Expression is not absolute : • Social responsibility! • Regulation • Content • Media organisations • Channels • Financial ressources/advertising • Media workers, professionals (journalists)

  14. Freedom of expression paradox • NECESSARY in a democratic society+ restrictions/sanctions/interferences IF necessary in democratic society • GUARANTEE for other (human) rights + LIMITED because of other (human) rights

  15. Fox and other Human Rights FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION MAY CONFLICT WITH° right of privacy (art. 8)° right to a fair trial (art. 6) + presumption of innocence ° prohibition of discrimination (art. 14) ° property rights (Art. 1 Protocol 1)

  16. Fox and other Human Rights BUT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS AT THE SAME TIME GUARANTEE FOR PROTECTION OF OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS ° right to a fair trial (art. 6)° prohibition of discrimination (art. 14)° right of free elections (art. 3 Prot. 1)

  17. Fox and Media Law Difficult balanceRisk of restricting freedom of expressionby national authorities = Risk of abundant, disproportionate media-regulation Supervision by ECtHR (Strasbourg)

  18. Fox and Media Law The perspective of Article 10 EConventionBasic notions on- E Convention HR - E Court + procedure- Article 10 of the Convention

  19. How to bring a case before the ECtHR 1. National remedies exhausted ? 2. Within 6 months period ? • After final decision was taken 3. Infringement by public authorities ? • + “(indirect) horizontal effect” 4. Victim ? • no “actio popularis” • no evaluation of law “in abstracto” • private person or organisation 5. Not “prima facie” inadmissible?

  20. Organisation of the ECtHR • 5 Sections (9/10) • Committees (3) • Chambers (7) • Grand Chamber (17) / Panel of 5 judges

  21. ECtHR: procedure • 1. Registration of the complaint • 2. Inadmissible if unanimity “prima facie”Committee “Manifestly ill-founded” • 3. Decision on admissibility by Chamber(- or +)(..)

  22. ECtHR: procedure • 4. Judgment by Chamber • Evt. direct by Grand Chamber if serious question of interpretation or risk of inconsistency with previous judgment, unless one of parties objects • Final after 3 month period / if no referral • 5. Judgment by Grand Chamber after referral • Decision panel of 5 -> Grand Chamber • Final judgment by Grand Chamber

  23. ECtHR: procedure • Ex officio judge elected in respect of State Party concerned (or ad hoc judge) • Possibility of inter-State applications • Possibility of third party intervention

  24. ECtHR: procedure • Powers of the Grand Chamber • “first instance”: case raises serious questions (..) or risk of inconsistency with previously delivered judgment by the Court • “appeal”: after referral (and panel decision) if case raises serious questions affecting the interpretation or application of the Convention, or serious issue of general importance • Advisory opinion on request of ComMinisters

  25. ECtHR: possible outcome • No registration • Inadmissible (Committee, Chamber) • No violation • Partly violation (Sunday Times 2, Perna, Plon) • Violation Court can also decide to strike application out of the list of cases • !!! Eventually after friendly settlement

  26. Impact of the ECtHR case law • Binding on respondent State • Pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages • Reimbursement of costs and expenses • Committee of Ministers: verification if state took adequate remedial measures to comply with obligations < judgment • Modification of law • Development in domestic jurisprudence • Change in prosecution policy local authorities • Reinstall applicants in former situation • Re-opening case at domestic level

  27. The ECHR and ECtHR For more information on • The European Convention on Human Rights • The organisation of the Court • The procedure before the Court • The Court’s case law See also Protocol 14 = reorganisation of the procedure  www.echr.coe.int

  28. Article 10 ECHR § 1 Freedom of expression/information without interference by public authorities § 2 Exercise of this freedom < duties and responsibilities -> formalities, restrictions, penalties

  29. Article 10 ECHR § 2 -> formalities, restrictions, penaltiesTHREE CONDITIONS MUST BE FULFILLED 1/ Prescribed by law2/ Legitimate aim3/ “Necessary in democratic society”Otherwise: violation of Article 10

  30. Article 10 ECHR Case law 1950 – 1969 : 1 (De Becker, struck out of the list) 1970 – 1979 : 3 (Sunday Times) 1980 – 1989 : 12 (Barthold and Lingens) 1990 – 1999 : 75 (38 violations) 2000 : 14 (10 violations) 2001 : 13 (8 violations) 2002 : 26 (13 violations/9 friendly settlements) 2003 : 30 (16 violations/5 friendly settlements) 2004 : 45 (30 violations/1 friendly settlement) 2005 : 65 (45 violations/3 friendly setllements) 2006 : 85 (60 violations)

  31. Article 10 ECHR Case law 1961 – 1991 : 24 in 30 years (less than 1/year) 1992 – 2001 : 100 in 10 years (10/year)  Since 2000, more than 10/year  2002 : 26 judgments on Article 10 / FOX  2003 : 30 judgments on Article 10 / FOX  2004 : 45 judgments on Article 10 / FOX  2005 : 65 judgments on Article 10 / FOX  2006 : 85 judgments on Article 10 / FOX  2007 ?

  32. Article 10 ECHR Case law Manifest added value of Strasbourg case law based on Article 10 Convention In many cases Court found a violation of freedom of expression and ‘overruled’ national/domestic courts convicting media/journalists

  33. Article 10 ECHR Case law“in the light of the case as a whole” • Public debate / public persons / private persons • Facts - information / value judgments • Reliability/accuracy • Intention • Possible effect of expression • Proportionality of restriction/sanction • Legitimate aim • Margin of appreciation • Journalistic ethics • Political/specific context/press • Positive obligations of member states!

  34. Article 10 ECHR Freedom of expression is necessary in a democracy (pluralism, tolerance, open debate) Restrictions on the freedom of expression can be legitimised when “necessary in a democratic society”… also restrictions are necessary in a democratic society

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