DUSHANBE, February 27, 2014, Asia-Plus – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic says that “a democratic society must allow for public debate without triggering financial penalties.”
She, in particular, noted that a civil district court on February 25 awarded an amount equivalent to approximately €4,500 to three plaintiffs that had claimed they were damaged by the article, “Unintelligent about Intelligentsia,” even though they were not named in the story.
“They said they endured “physical and mental suffering” from statements allegedly insulting the intelligentsia which were published on the Asia Plus website.
“If those who can claim injury are not clearly defined, any disagreement of opinion could end up as a damage claim.”
