Proposed law on publishing police images sparks protests across France

[El Generico]

Thousands of people took to the streets in Paris and other French cities Saturday at the urging of civil liberties campaigners and journalist groups to protest a proposed security law they say would impinge on freedom of information and media rights.

Pending legislation in France's parliament would create a new criminal offence for publishing images of police officers with intent to cause them harm. Offenders would face a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison and a €45,000 fine (about $69,000 Cdn).

The government said the proposal is intended to protect police officers from online calls for violence. Critics fear that, if enacted, the measure would endanger journalists and other observers who take videos of officers at work, especially during violent demonstrations.

Police used water cannons to disperse the crowd as minor scuffles broke out at the end of the demonstration. Paris police said 23 people were detained and an officer was slightly injured.

Reporters without Borders, Amnesty International France, the Human Rights League, journalists' unions and other groups encouraged people to attend the protest. The crowd included many journalists and students.

"We are not here to defend a privilege of our profession, press freedom and journalists' freedom," Edwy Plenel, co-founder and editor of investigative website Mediapart, said. "We are here to defend fundamental rights, the rights of all people."

Some members of the anti-government yellow vest movement also joined the demonstration.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/france-protests-bill-publish-police-images-1.5811607

If this law goes though it will be a pretty big blow to media rights and freedom of expression in France.

 

[Gilly]

A few incidents in the US where the media have broadcast snippets of footage showing the police in a bad way have caused social media to jump to conclusions before the whole story is given.

Not sure how similar it is in France but the police in the US are often subject to trail by media because they cannot show bodycam footage or talk about incidents before a complete investigation is carried out, the media on the other hand have free rein to create stories and use incomplete footage to crucify police. Its only when the matter is finally settled in court can the police respond, but its usually too late and the trial by media has convinced people that something else happen from only getting to see incomplete evidence.

I dont disagree that the police have to be accountable and there will always be bad apples but the police are only as good as we treat them.