28 March 2012
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Court case to determine
right to protect sources
IFJ says in June 1995, agents entered the offices of four
media outlets (Le Soir, Le Soir Illustré, Belgian Radio
and Television and De Morgen) and the homes of journalists Philippe
Brewaeys, Walter de Bock, Martine Ernst, René Haquin and
Alain Guillaume in search of their sources. This came after unnamed
Belgian justice officials reportedly leaked information to the
journalists about the ongoing investigation into the 1991 killing
of a former Minister of State. The leaks led to legal proceedings
against members of the State Counsel's Office on charges of
violating professional secrecy, notes the ECHR.
IFJ says the case is of "crucial importance" for
European journalists since the court's decision will be binding
on all Council of Europe member states.
For more details:
1. Visit the websites of the IFJ: www.ifj.org/publications/press/pr/368.html
2. The ECHR court: www.echr.coe.int/eng/PRESS/2002/june/HearingsJune2002.htm#Ernst
Story from: IFEX
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