10 October 2000
Alert
Journalist released
Incident details
Koen Voskuil journalist(s) released(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ press release:
Dutch Journalist Released After Europe-wide Protests
10 October 2000
THE IFJ and its regional organisation, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), join their affiliated Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ) in welcoming the release of Koen Voskuil yesterday. The Amsterdam Court of Justice had detained Voskuil since 22 September for refusing to reveal his sources.
Publishers, broadcasters, editors, and journalists in the Netherlands stood united and sued the Dutch government for the immediate and unconditional release of Koen Voskuil who was prosecuted over two stories published in Spits, concerning a criminal investigation. Media organisations said that continued detention of the journalist was unreasonable and contrary to article 10 of the European Treaty of Human Rights, as there is no overbearing interest to deny the journalist's right to protect his sources.
The journalist still has to appear in the criminal court case to give testimony, so, notwithstanding his immediate release, the issue at hand over the protection of sources still stands.
The Dutch Association of Editors and the Dutch Association of Journalists have decided to set up a joint commission to study legal procedures concerning protection of sources, including legal standards used internationally.
The IFJ represents more than 450,000 journalists in 100 countries.
Source:
International Federation of Journalists
International Press Centre, Residence Palace
Bloc C, second floor, Rue de la Loi, 155
1040 Brussels
Belgium
Phone: +32 2 2352207
Fax: +32 2 2352219
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