VIENNA, 9 June 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed the removal of a provision increasing prison terms for defaming elected officials and judges from a bill being considered by the Italian Senate.
“The decision not to increase the maximum prison term is a step in the right direction,” Mijatović said. “Imprisonment is a disproportionate punishment for defamation and creates a chilling effect on media freedom.”
A provision in the bill intended to protect public officials from intimidation would have increased the maximum prison penalty from six to nine years.
In May, Mijatović publicly said the Senate …read more
Source: OSCE