UJF astonished by Smash-Asem verdict

The Union of Journalists in Finland expressed astonishment at the verdict of the Court of Appeal upholding the contumacy verdict against photographers from the magazine Suomen Kuvalehti.

The photographers were arrested along with protestors during a demonstration in Helsinki in September 2006 after police ordered demonstrators to clear the area. Suomen Kuvalehti has taken the matter to the European Court of Human Rights.

UJF chairperson Arto Nieminen expressed surprise at the rejection of the appeal. “This is the third such incomprehensible court decision on the same matter. This sets an important precedent that limits the medias work and thereby interferes with freedom of speech.”

Suomen Kuvalehti editor in chief Tapani Ruokanen told the Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat that if the precedent remains in force “it will mean in practice that the authorities can as they see fit forbit the media from being present at demonstrations. The point is that readers, listeners and viewers won’t be able to know what is happening.”

The UJF is backing Suomen Kuvalehti’s petition to the European Court of Human Rights.