Fundamento destacado: 59. Un factor de especial importancia para la resolución del Tribunal de Justicia en el presente asunto es la función esencial que cumple la prensa en una sociedad democrática. Aunque la prensa no debe sobrepasar ciertos límites, en particular en lo que respecta a la reputación y los derechos de los demás y a la necesidad de evitar la divulgación de información confidencial, su deber es, no obstante, difundir —de forma coherente con sus obligaciones y responsabilidades— información e ideas sobre todos los asuntos de interés público (véanse la sentencia Jersild c. Dinamarca, de 23 de septiembre de 1994, Serie A nº 298, p. 23, § 31; y la sentencia De Haes y Gijsels c. Bélgica, de 24 de febrero de 1997, Recopilación de sentencias y decisiones 1997-I, pp. 233-34, § 37). Además, el Tribunal es consciente de que la libertad periodística abarca también el posible recurso a cierto grado de exageración, o incluso de provocación (véase la sentencia Prager y Oberschlick c. Austria, de 26 de abril de 1995, serie A nº 313, p. 19, § 38). En casos como el presente, el margen de apreciación nacional está circunscrito por el interés de la sociedad democrática en permitir que la prensa ejerza su papel vital de «guardián público» al difundir información de interés público grave (véase la sentencia Goodwin c. el Reino Unido, de 27 de marzo de 1996, Reports 1996-II, p. 500, § 39).
[Traducción de LP]
59. One factor of particular importance for the Court’s determination in the present case is the essential function the press fulfils in a democratic society. Although the press must not overstep certain bounds, in particular in respect of the reputation and rights of others and the need to prevent the disclosure of confidential information, its duty is nevertheless to impart – in a manner consistent with its obligations and responsibilities – information and ideas on all matters of public interest (see the Jersild v. Denmark judgment of 23 September 1994, Series A no. 298, p. 23, § 31; and the De Haes and Gijsels v. Belgium judgment of 24 February 1997, Reports of Judgments and Decisions 1997-I, pp. 233-34, § 37). In addition, the Court is mindful of the fact that journalistic freedom also covers possible recourse to a degree of exaggeration, or even provocation (see the Prager and Oberschlick v. Austria judgment of 26 April 1995, Series A no. 313, p. 19, § 38). In cases such as the present one the national margin of appreciation is circumscribed by the interest of democratic society in enabling the press to exercise its vital role of “public watchdog” in imparting information of serious public concern (see the Goodwin v. the United Kingdom judgment of 27 March 1996, Reports 1996-II, p. 500, § 39).
[Idioma original]
CASE OF BLADET TROMSØ AND STENSAAS v. NORWAY
(Application no. 21980/93)
JUDGMENT
STRASBOURG
20 May 1999
In the case of Bladet Tromsø and Stensaas v. Norway,
The European Court of Human Rights, sitting, in accordance with Article 27 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (“the Convention”), as amended by Protocol No. 11[1], and the relevant provisions of the Rules of Court2, as a Grand Chamber composed of the following judges:
Mr L. Wildhaber, President,
Mrs E. Palm,
Mr A. Pastor Ridruejo,
Mr G. Bonello,
Mr J. Makarczyk,
Mr R. Türmen,
Mr J.-P. Costa,
Mrs F. Tulkens,
Mrs V. Strážnická,
Mr W. Fuhrmann,
Mr M. Fischbach,
Mr V. Butkevych,
Mr J. Casadevall,
Mrs H.S. Greve,
Mr A.B. Baka,
Mr R. Maruste,
Mrs S. Botoucharova,
and also of Mrs M. de Boer-Buquicchio, Deputy Registrar,
Having deliberated in private on 27 and 28 January and on 21 April 1999,
Delivers the following judgment, which was adopted on the last‑mentioned date:
PROCEDURE
1. The case was referred to the Court, as established under former Article 19 of the Convention[2], by the European Commission of Human Rights (“the Commission”) on 24 September 1998 and by the Norwegian Government (“the Government”) on 29 October 1998, within the three-month period laid down by former Articles 32 § 1 and 47 of the Convention. It originated in an application (no. 21980/93) against the Kingdom of Norway lodged with the Commission under former Article 25 by a limited liability company established under Norwegian law, Bladet Tromsø A/S, which publishes the newspaper Bladet Tromsø, and its former editor, Mr Pål Stensaas, who is a Norwegian national, on 10 December 1992.
The Commission’s request referred to former Articles 44 and 48 and to the declaration whereby Norway recognised the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court (former Article 46); the Government’s application referred to former Articles 44 and 48. The object of the request and of the application was to obtain a decision as to whether the facts of the case disclosed a breach by the respondent State of its obligations under Article 10 of the Convention.
2. In response to the enquiry made in accordance with Rule 35 § 3 (d) of former Rules of Court B[3], the applicants designated the lawyers who would represent them (former Rule 31).
3. After the entry into force of Protocol No. 11 on 1 November 1998 and in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 § 5 thereof, the case was referred to the Grand Chamber of the Court. The Grand Chamber included ex officio Mrs H.S. Greve, the judge elected in respect of Norway (Article 27 § 2 of the Convention and Rule 24 § 4 of the Rules of Court), Mr L. Wildhaber, the President of the Court, Mrs E. Palm, Vice-President of the Court, and Mr J.-P. Costa and Mr M. Fischbach, Vice-Presidents of Sections (Article 27 § 3 of the Convention and Rule 24 §§ 3 and 5 (a)). The other members appointed to complete the Grand Chamber were Mr A. Pastor Ridruejo, Mr G. Bonello, Mr J. Makarczyk, Mr P. Kūris, Mr R. Türmen, Mrs F. Tulkens, Mrs V. Strážnická, Mr V. Butkevych, Mr J. Casadevall, Mr A.B. Baka, Mr R. Maruste and Mrs S. Botoucharova (Rule 24 § 3 and Rule 100 § 4). Subsequently, Mr W. Fuhrmann, substitute judge, replaced Mr Kūris, who was unable to take part in the further consideration of the case (Rule 24 § 5 (b)).
4. Mr Wildhaber, acting through the Deputy Registrar, consulted the Agent of the Government, the applicants’ lawyers and the Delegate of the Commission on the organisation of the written procedure. Pursuant to the order made in consequence, the Registrar received the applicants’ memorial and the Government’s memorial on 5 January 1999. On 15 January 1999 the Secretary to the Commission indicated that the Delegate would submit his observations at the hearing.
On various dates between 29 January and 17 March 1999 the Government and the applicants submitted additional observations under Article 41 of the Convention.
5. In accordance with the President’s decision, the hearing took place in public in the Human Rights Building, Strasbourg, on 27 January 1999.
[Continúa…]
