Activity Details (ID# 14516)

Activity Synopsis

The aim of the conference was to exchange ideas and some lessons learned in the processes of decriminalization of defamation. 

Mr Frédéric Gras, Barrister, Bar of Paris, Paris, France attended the Conference, organised by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, on behalf of the Council of Europe.

In his presentation, Mr Gras gave an overview of the Council of Europe standards on defamation, with particular reference to case law of the European Court of Human Rights. He also addressed the advantages and disadvantages of decriminalising defamation.

During the conference participants discussed the positive developments in some OSCE participating states, which decriminalised defamation or are taking important steps towards abolishing imprisonment.

The issues, such as legal aspects of decriminalization of defamation, the role of the civil society in promotion of legislation changes, justifications and limitations of civil code penalties, the balance between freedom of expression and protection of reputation, self-regulatory mechanisms and journalists’ ethics were highlighted.

Participants expressed interest to promote and facilitate the potential changes to the criminal code regarding libel and defamation, which is in line with both the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media’s campaign against criminal libel laws and disproportionate civil damages and the Council of Europe’s standards reflected by the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.

Participants appreciated the assistance provided by the OSCE and encouraged the OSCE Mission to Skopje and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media to continue supporting the development of media and freedom of expression in the country.

 

The conference ended with a Resolution, agreed by representatives of the Macedonian Institute for Media, Association of Journalists of Macedonia, government, media, civil society as well as by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. (For more information see: http://www.osce.org/skopje/item_1_18005.html)
 

Approximately 100 governmental officials, legislators, legal experts and media freedom activists from OSCE participating States. 

Mr Frédéric Gras, Barrister, Bar of Paris, Paris, France