During the interview, the members made derogatory and racist comments about ethnic minorities and foreigners living in Denmark.

Subsequently, the applicant contacted representatives of the group, inviting three of them together with Mr Per Axholt, a social worker employed at the local youth centre, to take part in a television interview.

On 21 July 1985, this was broadcast by Danmarks Radio as a part of the Sunday News Magazine.

Following the programme, the Bishop of lborg complained to the Minister of Justice.

After undertaking investigations, the Public Prosecutor instituted criminal proceedings in the City Court of Copenhagen against the three youths interviewed by the applicant, charging and convicting them with a violation of Article 266 (b) of the Penal Code for having made the statements cited below.

Jensen appealed up until the Supreme Court, with their appeal being dismissed.

In assessing whether his conviction and sentence were necessary, the Court will therefore have regard to the principles established in its case-law relating to the role of the press.

It is not for this Court, nor for the national courts for that matter, to substitute their own views for those of the press as to what technique of reporting should be adopted by journalists.

In this context the Court recalls that Article 10 protects not only the substance of the ideas and information expressed, but also the form in which they are conveyed.

He went on to announce that the object of the programme was to address aspects of the problem, by identifying certain racist individuals and by portraying their mentality and social background.

Jersild V Denmark