Centrist Senator Nathalie Goulet introduced a bill in response to the measure taken to prevent Mediapart from publishing new information on the mayor of Saint-Etienne, Gael Perdrieux, after earlier revelations of alleged extortion.
The text was endorsed by the head of the Culture Committee, Laurent Lavon (centre). One article of it aims to supplement the July 29, 1881 Freedom of the Press Act by adding thatPublication can only be banned by a judicial decision of both sides..
sequel after announcement
We cannot leave the situation as it is and not protect the press further.Laurent Lavon told AFP on Tuesday, November 22. It is believed that the order on movement (non-hostile emergency measure) issued by the Paris court on November 18, according to Mediapart, “Questioning one of the fundamental freedoms, freedom of the press”. “We are on the level of principles”Natalie Goulet pointed out.
Mediapart censorship, an unprecedented attack on press freedom
According to the senator, who is a lawyer by profession, an order on demand is a procedure “classic, urgent”but it is used “A completely new way of journalism.”. “Non-contradiction is what violates the press law”I explained. “In terms of journalism, it amounts to pre-censorship.”said the senator.
“It was important to respond quickly and express our support to the press.”Laurent Lavon added.
“Unprecedented censorship”
For its part, the communist-majority CRCE group estimated this in a press release “The adversarial process and the right to a fair trial were not respected with respect to Mediapart”. “Every part of this decision clearly contradicts fundamental rights and opens the way for a new condemnation of France by the European Court of Human Rights.”according to the CRCE Group.
sequel after announcement
After being excluded from the Republicans, the mayor of Saint-Etienne Gael Perdrieu filed a complaint against the party and Eric Ciotti
The investigative media had denounced on Monday a “Unprecedented censorship”. “Mediapart was not informed of this action and the order was taken by the judge without our newspaper being able to defend its work and its rights”pointed out publishing director Edwy Plenel.
Decree orders not to publish “The new disclosure of the political practices of the mayor of Saint-Etienne, based in particular on the same recordings that allowed us to reveal a sextortion scandal in which his first deputy from the center, Gilles Artigis, was the victim”had identified Edwie Plenell.
