DEMUTH v. SWITZERLAND - 38743/97 [2002] ECHR 704 (5 November 2002)

DEMUTH v. SWITZERLAND - 38743/97 [2002] ECHR 704 (5 November 2002)

The refusal to grant a broadcasting licence to Car TV AG was prescribed by law, pursued a legitimate aim of maintaining pluralism and quality in broadcasting, and was proportionate to that aim. The Swiss authorities acted within their margin of appreciation, and the interference with the applicant's freedom of expression was justified under Article 10 of the Convention.

Citation
[2002] ECHR 704
Parties
Applicant: Walter Michael Demuth; Respondent: Swiss Confederation
Jurisdiction
European Union
Judgment Date
05 November 2002
Procedural Posture
Application to the European Court of Human Rights / Final Judgment
Outcome
No violation of Article 10 of the Convention.
Legal Topics
Freedom of Expression, Broadcast Licensing, Proportionality, Margin of Appreciation

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Parties

Walter Michael Demuth

Applicant

Swiss Confederation

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Application to the European Court of Human Rights / Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the refusal to grant a broadcasting licence to Car TV AG violated Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights

Ratio Decidendi

The refusal to grant a broadcasting licence to Car TV AG was prescribed by law, pursued a legitimate aim of maintaining pluralism and quality in broadcasting, and was proportionate to that aim. The Swiss authorities acted within their margin of appreciation, and the interference with the applicant's freedom of expression was justified under Article 10 of the Convention.

Court Disposition

No violation of Article 10 of the Convention.