European Court of Human Rights : Schweizerische Radio- und Fernsehgesellschaft and Publisuisse SA v. Switzerland

In a case about a TV-commercial in support of animal protection the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) accepted that broadcasters can be required to provide an outlet for critical opinions, even if the message is presented in a provocative manner. The ECtHR found that the obligation imposed on a nation-wide public-service broadcaster and on an advertising sales company to run a disputed commercial, did not amount to a disproportionate interference with their right to freedom of expression as protected by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).In a case about a TV-commercial in support of animal protection the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) accepted that broadcasters can be required to provide an outlet for critical opinions, even if the message is presented in a provocative manner. The ECtHR found that the obligation imposed on a nation-wide public-service broadcaster and on an advertising sales company to run a disputed commercial, did not amount to a disproportionate interference with their right to freedom of expression as protected by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).