Prime Minister Bertie Ahern
Prime Minister of Ireland
Dublin
Ireland
Vienna, 12 August 1999

Dear Prime Minister,

The International Press Institute (IPI) — the global network of editors and media executives dedicated to promoting freedom of the press and improving the standards of journalism — condemns in the strongest possible terms the decision by the Censorship of Publications Board to ban In Dublin magazine for six months.

IPI is dismayed that a progressive and democratic country like Ireland still maintains an institution such as the Censorship of Publications Board, the mere existence of which runs counter to democratic principles of freedom of expression and Ireland’s international legal obligations.

IPI’s sources have indicated that the Censorship of Publications Board voted in favour of the prohibition order against In Dublin under the Censorship of Publications Act, 1946, at a meeting on April 18, 1999. Following meetings with the publishers of In Dublin, the board announced yesterday it had decided to ban the publication for six months. The ban prohibits the sale and distribution in Ireland of any issue of In Dublin on or after 10 August 1999.

As an entertainment listings magazine, In Dublin has been an excellent source of news and information to people in the capital for over 23 years.

Ireland is a signatory to the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) which is a binding legal instrument. Article 10 of the ECHR guarantees freedom of expression and information, without interference by public authorities and regardless of frontiers. Under the Convention, grounds for restrictions on the freedom of expression and information must follow a “legitimate aim” and be “necessary in a democratic society.” The banning of In Dublin because its editions “have usually or frequently been indecent or obscene” clearly does not fulfil this decisive criteria.

IPI understands that the ban is being appealed by In Dublin. We appreciate the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and the fact that that they are merely upholding the laws of the land. However, as we have indicated, the Censorship of Publications Act, 1946, has no place in a democratic society and we urge you to take steps to revoke it immediately. Furthermore, we urge you to make a public and unequivocal statement in support of freedom of the press and freedom of expression in Ireland to reassure the public that your government is not intent on stamping out any publication that does not reflect certain moral attitudes.

I thank you for your attention and eagerly await your prompt response.

Yours sincerely,

Johann P. Fritz
Director