RSF is concerned at some of the conclusions of a report on reforms to legal procedures in France which it feels are a profound threat to press freedom. The report, made public on 2 October 1996 by Minister of Justice Jacques Toubon, proposes changes to legal procedures for preventive detention, the presumption of innocence and […]
RSF is concerned at some of the conclusions of a report on reforms
to legal procedures in France which it feels are a profound threat
to press freedom. The report, made public on 2 October 1996 by
Minister of Justice Jacques Toubon, proposes changes to legal
procedures for preventive detention, the presumption of innocence
and the secrecy of judicial investigations. (A second series of
proposals on trials and appeal procedures will be presented in
January 1997.)
RSF condemns the proposals for trial secrecy contained in the
report. RSF is also concerned at the report’s recommendations that
journalists referring to a penal investigation must include a
mention in his or her report “to draw people’s attention to the
fact that the information in question expresses only the author’s
personal opinion.”
RSF feels the new measures would stifle press freedom in an
attempt by the government to keep embarrassing corruption scandals
under wraps, and points out that such measures represent a threat
not only for the press, but to democracy itself.
