Access to public documents must be effective and enforceable

Cour eur. D.H, 24 juin 2014, reqûete nr 27329/06 (Roşiianu c. Roumanie)
Citaat van Dirk Voorhoof, UGent: The European Court of Human Rights has reiterated in a judgment of 24 June 2014 that collecting information and guaranteeing access to documents held by public authorities is a crucial right for journalists in order to be able to report on matters of public interest. In the case of Ioan Romeo Rosiianu, a presenter of a regional television programme, the Court came to the conclusion that the Romanian authorities have violated Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights by refusing access to the documents of a public nature he had requested for at Baia Mare, a city in the north of Romania. The Court’s judgment clarifies that efficient enforcement mechanisms are necessary in order to make the right of access to public documents under Article 10 practical and effective:
Lees verder