Police search media offices; calls into question the issue of the protection of sources

Belgian police searched the offices of the daily newspapers “Le Soir” and “De Morgen”, of the magazine “Le Soir Illustre” and of the radio and television network RTBF (in Brussels and in Liege) on 23 June 1995. The homes of several journalists from these media covering the judicial inquiry into the Agusta defence contracts scandal […]

Belgian police searched the offices of the daily newspapers “Le
Soir” and “De Morgen”, of the magazine “Le Soir Illustre” and of
the radio and television network RTBF (in Brussels and in Liege)
on 23 June 1995. The homes of several journalists from these
media covering the judicial inquiry into the Agusta defence
contracts scandal were also searched. Police conducted full
searches and seized documents including notebooks, loose sheets
of paper, letters, and photocopies. This operation was justified
by authorities as a search for possible leaks from magistrates to
the media, leaks which are in violation of the confidentiality of
the probe into the Agusta scandal.

According to RSF, these incidents once again raise the question
of the conflict between the principles of confidentiality of
legal investigations (“secret de l’instruction”) and of
journalists to protect their sources. The protection of sources
forms the basis of work in a field such as journalism. RSF says
it guarantees the quality of information and preserves the
credibility of the profession in the eyes of its sources. In
Belgium, as elsewhere, the work of a journalist already risks
being equated with that of a police officer or judge. RSF points
out that by preserving the distinction through a journalist’s
right to protect her/his sources, the interests of justice as
well as of press freedom are served.

Recommended Action

Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene

16, rue de la Loi

1040 Brussels, Belgium

Fax: +32 2 512 69 53 or +32 2 511 50 21