'Hidden cameras and human rights: the ECHR clarifies the position'
/When does the use of hidden cameras by journalists breach human rights? This issue was clarified by recent judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Bremner v Turkey. The case was brought by an Australian national about the use of surreptitious filming of him in his flat talking about Christianity. The filming took place as part of the making of a documentary about “foreign pedlars of religion” in Turkey. The programme broadcast revealed Bremner and in particular did not blur his face. Bremner then sued the programme makers, but was unsuccessful given the public interest in the topic, and the matter came before the ECHR. Bremner argued that there had been a violation of Article 8 ECHR (right to private life) as regards the content of the programme and the failure of the Turkish courts to indemnify him. In Bremner’s view the programme exposed him to threats of aggression. He also referred to Articles 6 (right to a fair trial), 9 (right to religion) and 10 (freedom of expression).
