Victory for freedom of expression in new Digital Economy Law
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has hailed the Constitutional Council’s ruling on the Law to Promote Confidence in the Digital Economy (LEN) as a victory for freedom of expression. The Council announced its decision on 13 June 2004, striking down a highly-contested statute of limitations clause for initiating legal action against online content. While applauding the ruling, […]
“Lyon Mag” publication director indicted on charge of “defending a criminal act”
(RSF/IFEX) – On 24 May 2004, Philippe Brunet-Lecomte, publication director of the monthly magazine “Lyon Mag”, was indicted on the charge of “defending a criminal act”, following the publication of an interview with Abdelkader Bouziane, an imam from Vénissieux, near Lyon, who defended, among other things, the stoning of women. In a letter to Justice […]
Three journalists manhandled by riot police
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has denounced an attack by riot police on three journalists on 15 May 2004, while they were covering a demonstration in front of a Cannes police station. “These actions are unacceptable and the aggressors must be punished,” said RSF. “We acknowledge [Provincial Prefect] Pierre Breuil’s decision to pursue disciplinary action against the […]
Internet publishers face lifetime responsibility for online content under proposed amendment to controversial law
(RSF/IFEX) – On 9 April 2004, the Senate adopted an amendment to the Bill to Promote Confidence in the Digital Economy (projet de loi sur la confiance dans l’économie numérique, LEN) that would allow website publishers to be charged with defamation for articles written several years earlier. RSF has denounced the amendment and called for […]
RSF urges Senate to amend Digital Economy Bill during final reading
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has reiterated its opposition to the Bill to Promote Confidence in the Digital Economy (projet de loi sur la confiance dans l’économie numérique, LEN), which is intended to translate a June 2000 European Union (EU) directive into French law. Final reading of the bill is expected to take place during a public […]
RSF ordered to pay 6,000 euros to Korda’s heir over use of Che Guevara photograph
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has voiced relief after a Paris court ordered the organisation to pay only 6,000 euros (approx. US$7,400) to Diane Diaz Lopez, the heir of Cuban photographer Alberto “Korda” Diaz Gutierrez, for non-compliance with a 9 July 2003 court order banning the organisation from using Korda’s famous photograph of Ernesto “Che” Guevara wearing […]
Three journalists attacked while reporting on Koranic school
(RSF/IFEX) – On 11 March 2004, members of a Koranic school assaulted three journalists who were filming a report on the school for the “90 Minutes” programme, which airs on the privately-owned television station Canal+. RSF strongly condemned the attack on soundman Jérôme Florenville, cameraman Jean-Yves Charpin and reporter Hervé Bouchaud. Paul Moreira, the programme’s […]
RSF opposes amendment on ISP responsibilities in “telecoms package” law
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has objected to an amendment to a new “telecoms package” bill that was scheduled to be examined by the French National Assembly on 10 February 2004. The new bill deals with electronic communications and broadcast services. The government has signalled its urgency, and the law is expected to be passed after only […]
Journalist facing legal action for “public abuse of a member of government”
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has criticised a legal investigation opened against journalist Judith Silberfeld for “public abuse of a member of government”. Silberfeld is deputy editor-in-chief of the monthly gay magazine “Têtu”. The organisation described the legal action as “completely absurd and anachronistic.” “It is all the more ridiculous as it comes at a time when […]
Cuban security staff attack AFP journalist outside Paris art exhibition
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has strongly condemned an attack on Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalist Jorge Carlos Forbes. The journalist was assaulted as he was leaving the opening of a contemporary Cuban art exhibition at the Great Arch of La Défense, in Paris, on 20 January 2004. Earlier that same evening, members of the organisation had demonstrated […]
Digital economy bill threatens to turn website hosts into censors and end e-mail privacy, RSF says
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has appealed to the French Senate to amend the digital economy bill passed by the National Assembly on second reading on 8 January 2004. The organisation wishes to ensure that commercial companies that host websites do not have to act as censors and decide if online content is legal, and that there […]
Radio Non Grata forced off the air
(RSF/IFEX) – On 10 December 2003, RSF was forced to suspend broadcasting of Radio Non Grata, the pirate station it launched on 9 December in the Geneva area to protest against its exclusion from the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which got underway in Geneva on 9 December. “After being banned from speaking […]
Parliament urged to strike down restrictive amendment to press law
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has called on party leaders in the lower house of the French Parliament (the Chamber of Deputies) to strike down an amendment to the country’s press law, calling it “a frontal attack on the rights of journalists and a threat to investigative reporting.” The amendment would extend to a year the current […]
Paris court convicts journalist for possessing confidential material from a legal investigation
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has criticised a Paris criminal court for convicting journalist Gilles Millet on 23 October 2003 for possessing confidential material from a legal investigation. The court imposed a fine of 1,000 euros (approx. US$1,175). The sentence was suspended. The journalist was also cleared of possessing information protected by professional secrecy. “How can the […]
Journalist files complaint following realisation that Cuban embassy employee was armed when facing RSF demonstrators in April 2003
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has announced that it is supporting a complaint filed on 14 October 2003 by news photographer Ricardo Vega against an unidentified employee of the Cuban embassy in Paris. The complaint alleges “threat with a firearm” and “complicity” in the use of violence by embassy staff who broke up a demonstration by RSF […]
Journalist’s car riddled with bullets in Corsica
(RSF/IFEX) – An empty vehicle belonging to Christine Clerc, a journalist with the daily newspaper “Le Figaro”, was riddled with bullets in the southern Corsican village of Tolla during the night of 4 to 5 September 2003. “We are extremely concerned by this attack on a journalist who was only practicing her profession. The authorities […]