Wed, May 15th 2024
In a legal battle that underscores privacy rights, “Weltwoche” was compelled to withdraw an article about a Zurich judge due to a controversial secret recording.
The Meilen District Court has banned “Weltwoche” from publishing and printing an article about a Zurich judge online. The court upheld an application by the judge in question. The article has since been deleted.
The text was about an anti-vaccination campaigner who brought an action against his allegedly abusive dismissal before a labor court. During a break in the proceedings, the parties had to leave the courtroom, with only the court remaining in the room for the discussion.
However, the plaintiff recorded the meeting on his cell phone, which he left lying around. According to established case law, this is illegal. On the recording, the judge says, among other things, that she believes “the rambling” was the reason for the dismissal.
Weltwoche” then reported on this hearing with original quotes and in an attacking manner. After the Zurich District Court complained, “Weltwoche” removed the quotes and the name of the judge who had been recorded.
However, as the author of the text writes on Platform X, the Meilen district court has since ordered the text to be removed completely, with immediate effect. Weltwoche” has its headquarters in Zollikon, which is why the Meilen court has jurisdiction.
It remains to be seen whether the illegal recording will have legal consequences for “Weltwoche”.
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