RTS can leave program about trade in precious woods on website
A report aired by the Western Swiss television station RTS in 2022 about the trade in precious woods in Gambia and Senegal does not have to be removed from the website. The Federal Supreme Court has dismissed a businessman’s appeal. He had filed a lawsuit alleging a violation of his personal rights.
In the programme, RTS reported on a criminal complaint filed with the Office of the Attorney General by the non-governmental organization Trial International. The report explained how rosewood had been illegally felled under the rule of the Gambian ex-ruler in the shadow of the unrest in neighboring Senegal.
The wood was destined for China. It is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. According to Trial, the logging had a dramatic impact on the environment and the population - a phenomenon known as "ecocide". This is the result of a ruling published by the Federal Supreme Court on Wednesday.
Prohibition of the contribution
The businessman was able to comment on the program. He spoke through his lawyer and attempted to ban the broadcast of the program. After the broadcast, he demanded that the program and the article about it be removed from the RTS website.
The Federal Supreme Court rejected the man's complaints. The Federal Supreme Court wrote that the lower court had not established that the impairment suffered by the person concerned was unjustified.
Deforestation and its impact on the environment are of public interest. Most of the information is objective and the term "ecocide" is admissible. It is made clear that this is not a legal term.
Finally, the reportage did not establish an obvious link between the complainant's company and the armed groups in Senegal. (Judgment 5A_274/2024) (SDA/swi)
