Reacting to recent allegations of telephone-hacking by journalists in the UK, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland issued the following statement: "Telephone-hacking is a crime. In times of cut-throat competition in the media sector, journalists and editors must act responsibly, strengthen their self-regulation, and respect citizens' right to privacy. He added that governments need to act resolutely to fight and to prevent violations of this fundamental right, whilst actively protecting and promoting freedom of speech.

"As the guardian of the European Convention on Human Rights, which includes the right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence, I am particularly concerned by recent allegations of serious violations. The Council of Europe will work closely with governments to update and strengthen the European Convention on Data Protection," Thorbjørn Jagland said.