Journalist from state-owned television station France 3 asked to reveal sources for report about Moroccan arrest warrants
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders is exasperated to learn that Joseph Tual, a journalist with the French state-owned TV station France 3, was questioned on 20 November 2008 by a court in Lille on suspicion of “violating professional confidentiality” in a report about new developments in the investigation into the 1965 disappearance of Moroccan opposition […]
Plan to “modernise” statutes of AFP news agency threatens to undermine its independence and credibility, says IFJ
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 27 October 2008 media release from the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group: Plan to Change Statutes of AFP is Not ‘Modernisation’ Says EFJ The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the European group of the International Federation of Journalists, today expressed its concerns over plans to […]
Lawyer for slain journalist’s family falls ill, possibly poisoned
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 14 October 2008 CPJ press release: FRANCE/RUSSIA: Politkovskaya family lawyer ill, possibly poisoned New York, October 14, 2008 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned about the welfare of Russian lawyer Karinna Moskalenko, who represents the family of slain Novaya Gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya ( http://cpj.org/blog/2008/10/i-met-anna-politkovskaya-in.php ). […]
Sarkozy proposals on press raise concerns over media independence
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 6 October 2008 IFJ media release: EFJ Worried about President’s Proposals in French National Discussion on Press The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the European group of the International Federation of Journalists, said today it is worried about some proposals made by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy as he […]
Witness claims pressure from French presidency in case of kidnapped journalist
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders said it was mystified to learn at a meeting with the French investigating judges in the Guy-André Kieffer abduction case that a witness has claimed to have been put under pressure from within the French presidency not to testify before the judges. Osange Silou-Kieffer, the Canadian-French journalist’s wife, and other […]
Two regional newspapers raided
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders is “exasperated” by the raids carried out by police and judicial officials on two daily newspapers in the western city of Poitiers on 30 September 2008 for allegedly violating the confidentiality of a judicial investigation into a murder case. “The government has itself recognised the threats to the confidentiality of […]
European satellite operator Eutelsat drops Saudi opposition TV station
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders is concerned about French-based satellite operator Eutelsat’s decision to stop carrying Al Islah TV, the mouthpiece of a Saudi exile group, on Eutelsat’s Hotbird satellite on 22 July 2008. The Saudi opposition group, called the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA), is based in the UK. Al Islah TV’s […]
Twenty-six IFEX members appeal to French President Sarkozy to raise issue of jailed journalists and rights activists in Syria
(WAN/IFEX) – The following is an appeal by 26 IFEX members to the French president regarding the free expression situation in Syria: M. Nicolas Sarkozy President of the Republic of France Palais de l’Elysée 55, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré 75008 Paris, France Your Excellency, We, the undersigned organisations promoting and defending freedom of expression worldwide, […]
Auto magazine reporter detained for 48 hours and charged in connection with industrial spying complaint
(RSF/IFEX) – After being held for 48 hours, Bruno Thomas, a reporter with the Paris-based car magazine “Auto Plus”, was charged on 17 July 2008 in connection with an industrial spying complaint brought by the French car-maker Renault in 2007 when the magazine published photos of future Renault models. “Holding Thomas for 48 hours was […]
President Gbagbo’s associates fail to cooperate with French probe into journalist’s disappearance
(RSF/IFEX) – Simone Gbagbo, the wife of Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, and former Ivorian economy minister Paul-Antoine Bohoun Bouabré failed to respond to a summons from French investigating judge Patrick Ramaël for questioning on 10 July 2008 in Paris as witnesses in his probe into the disappearance of journalist Guy-André Kieffer, a dual French-Canadian national, […]
President’s proposal on appointment of public television president threatens independence of public service broadcasting, says ARTICLE 19
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 27 June 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release: France: Independence of Public Service Broadcasting Threatened Nicolas Sarkozy’s proposal on the appointment of the president of the French public television broadcaster, France Télévisions, contravenes international standards regarding the independence of public service broadcasting, and should be opposed. President Sarkozy suggested […]
EFJ “shocked” by President Sarkozy’s accusation of media bias and censorship of his party
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 9 May 2008 media release from the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group: EFJ “Shocked” by President Sarkozy’s Comments about French Media Bias The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the regional group of the International Federation of Journalists, today protested against the shocking comments made by […]
Annual Report 2008: France
Annual Report 2008: France
French Olympic committee capitulates to pressure from IOC and China to prohibit athletes from wearing “For a better world” badge
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders is dismayed by the decision of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) to prohibit French athletes from wearing a badge saying “For a better world” during the Beijing Olympic Games. “The International Olympic Committee has clearly imposed its hard line on CNOSF president Henri Sérandour and forced him […]
World Report 2008: France
World Report 2008: France
IPA condemns call for boycott of Paris Salon du Livre international book fair
(IPA/IFEX) – The following is an IPA press release: International Publishers Association Condemns Calls For A Boycott of Paris Salon du Livre Geneva, 6 March 2008 – The International Publishers Association condemns the calls for a boycott of this year’s Salon du Livre in Paris. IPA President, Ana Maria Cabanellas, and the Chair of IPA’s […]