The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) today condemned attacks by the French government on journalists’ right to protect their sources after authorities recently made promises to uphold those rights.
“The French government has announced several times that it would include the protection of sources in the French law on press from 1881,” said Philippe Leruth, Vice-President of the EFJ. “Yesterday, however, judges and policemen again searched the files of a journalist. This double-dealing confirms the urgent need for legal reforms and respect for the principle of press freedom.”
On 5 July, French police raided the office of daily Midi Libre to look for “confidential” information about the management of the Languedoc-Roussillon Regional Council . The raid took place following a complaint of “violation of professional secrecy” by the former president of the region. The editor-in-chief and several journalists have been questioned by the police.
The current case follows several similar cases in recent months.
The EFJ is supporting the French journalists and unions who are fighting these intimidation tactics and attacks on their rights.
To read the full IFJ press release in French, please go to: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=4035&Language=FR
For further information contact the EFJ: +32 2 235 2200
The EFJ represents over 260,000 journalists in over 30 countries
