UBI rules on non-disclosure of comments in SRF online forum
For the first time, the Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television (UBI) has ruled on complaints regarding the failure to post comments on Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) online forums. In several cases, it concluded that the rejection of the comments did not withstand scrutiny under the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
The UBI found in several cases that the rejection of the comments did not stand up to the fundamental right of freedom of expression, as it announced on Thursday evening. It was only after a lengthy and controversial discussion that the commission affirmed its jurisdiction in this regard during today's public deliberations by a narrow majority of 5 to 4 votes and acted on corresponding complaints.
A regular writer had complained that several of his comments had not been published by SRF's community editorial team. In each case, the latter had referred to the company's own netiquette. The editors usually justified the non-disclosure by stating that the comments were unverifiable insinuations and allegations.
The UBI examined in each individual case whether the conditions for a restriction of the fundamental right of freedom of expression were met, according to the statement. In seven cases, it came to the conclusion that this was not the case. It therefore approved the corresponding complaints.
In contrast, the UBI unanimously rejected the complaint of the same writer against the non-disclosure of a comment due to personal attacks against another user. According to the press release, his complaint against the six-month blocking of his comment account was also narrowly rejected. The editors had issued this after an explicit warning because of repeated verbal attacks against SRF employees.
Three other complaints were also dismissed by the UBI on Thursday. (SDA)
