12 Jul 2012 17:36

OSCE official dislikes criminalization of slander

MOSCOW/VIENNA. July 12 (Interfax) - The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has urged the Russian State Duma to reject a bill that criminalizes slander.

"I am calling on Duma deputies to reject this bill and stop the initiatives aimed at introducing criminal prosecution for the contents of public debates," Dunja Mijatovic, OSCE representative on the freedom of mass media, said in a statement that reached Interfax on Thursday.

She believes that the "civil and administrative codes can sufficiently protect one's reputation from 'attacks' by mass media."