Government ignores ECHR ruling 

 

The government has decided to uphold the prohibition of political TV advertisement, despite the recent ruling by the European Court of Human Right (ECHR). “This is nonsense”, says Geir A. Mo, Secretary General of the Progress Party.

 

A small Norwegian TV station brought the issue of political TV advertisements to the ECHR after having been fined for broadcasting an advert for the Pensioners Party in 2003. A few weeks ago, the court ruled in favour of the TV station, arguing that a prohibition of TV adverts was against the European Convention on Human Rights.

 

“Norway is bound by the rulings of the ECHR. Still, the government is willing to ignore our international obligations in order to uphold the prohibition of political TV advertisements", says Geir A. Mo. "I really don't understand this. What are they so afraid of ?"