Surveillance amendments in new law in Germany pose a threat to media freedom, OSCE Representative says, asks Bundestag to reconsider bill | WPN World People News

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović, expressed on 8 July concern about a proposed law on the German Foreign Intelligence Agency (BND, Bundesnachrichtendienst), which was debated in the Bundestag, Germany’s Federal Parliament, on 8 July.

“Increasing surveillance capabilities of journalists is a clear threat to media freedom,” Mijatović said. “This draft law runs counter to the very core of fundamental freedoms such as media freedom and freedom of expression.”

The draft law increases BND’s capabilities to place foreign journalists under surveillance. Moreover, no exemption is made for the work of journalists, and journalists without citizenship of the European Union can be subjected to surveillance without an explicit court order.

“I call on the German Bundestag to revise the current draft law and ensure proper the protection of journalists regardless of their nationality,” Mijatović said.

source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe