"Tagesschau" report: Right to one's own image violated
Swiss television's "Tagesschau" has violated the right to one's own image by broadcasting a report on depression. Dieter Leutwyler, former head of press at the Federal Department of Finance, is affected by the incident.
In its main edition at the end of February, "Tagesschau" broadcast a report on the topic of depression and stigmatization. The report featured Dieter Leutwyler, former head of press for former Federal Councillor Hans-Rudolf Merz, at work in the Federal Palace.
During the broadcast of the images, the "off-camera" voice in the "Tagesschau" warned that excessive stress at work could quickly lead to depression. There was no mention that the images shown were symbolic images. Dieter Leutwyler said on Thursday in response to an article in the "Bund" and "Tages-Anzeiger" newspapers that he was clearly identifiable in the report and had also received some reactions after the broadcast. Swiss television had violated the right to one's own image with the report. Leutwyler is now Head of Communications at the Security Directorate of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft.
The archive images used in the report were used for illustrative purposes. Leutwyler was seen for just under three seconds in a sequence of images, said SF media spokesperson Marco Meroni. "There was no direct connection to the person, for example with a spoken contribution."
The footage shown could nevertheless suggest that the person portrayed was suffering from depression. SF had used a scene that should not have been used in this way. "We have apologized for this and removed the contribution from the website." The case is now closed for him, said Leutwyler. He will not be taking any legal action. (SDA)
