9 February 2004

Alert

Journalist given three-month jail sentence for libelling local official


Incident details

Andrzej Marek

editor(s)

sentenced

This is available in:

English Français Español
(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the confirmation of a three-month prison sentence imposed on provincial journalist Andrzej Marek for libelling a local official. The organisation called on the Polish Parliament to amend the country's defamation laws and asked that Marek's sentence be dropped.

Marek, editor-in-chief of the weekly "Wiesci Polickie", in the western town of Police, was given a three-month suspended sentence in November 2003 for libelling Piotr Misilo, a local official whom he had accused of misusing public property. As part of the verdict, he was ordered to apologise to Misilo. Marek refused to withdraw his accusations, and on 6 February 2004 a court ordered him to serve a three-month sentence. He has seven days to appeal the ruling.

RSF notes that, with the imposition of the sentence, Poland is violating European press freedom standards, according to which journalists must not be jailed for actions that are part of their job. Poland is set to join the European Union in May.



Source:

Putting free expression issues in perspective.

Sign up to receive IFEX In Context.

Updates to this story

Court halts appeal by editor facing imprisonment for libel; IPI urges presidential pardon 23 January 2007 Journalist released after imprisonment for libel 27 January 2006 Journalist begins 3-month jail term for criminal libel 17 January 2006 IPI urges repeal of prison sentence against editor for libel 3 January 2006 Journalist sentenced to three months in prison for defamation; RSF calls for presidential pardon 23 June 2004 Journalist's prison sentence postponed following protests 25 March 2004 RSF appeals for presidential pardon for journalist sentenced to prison term 5 March 2004

At a glance

Poland
Poland
 
Key reports and information
 
IFEX is a global network of committed organisations working to defend and promote free expression.
Permission is granted for material on this website to be reproduced or republished in whole or in part provided the source member and/or IFEX is cited with a link to the original item.