Media News - Friday, May 16, 2008
French bill on journalist sources stirs controversy
The French government on Thursday introduced a bill that recognizes a
journalist's right to protect sources while stating there may be special
cases when reporters will have to name names. The new legislation has
been fiercely criticized by journalists' unions and press watchdogs for
stating that reporters may have to reveal sources when ‘a pressing
imperative requires it’, wording seen as too vague. Justice Minister
Rachida Dati said cases involving terrorism or the kidnapping of a child
may qualify under the law as instances when journalists in France may
have to reveal sources. She argued the new legislation promised by
President Nicolas Sarkozy during his election campaign last year struck
a balance between the rights of journalists and the needs of police and
other law enforcement agencies. But four unions representing journalists
have come out against the bill, saying that the term ‘pressing
imperative’ left the door open to broad interpretation. The bill came
after a journalist for Le Monde, Guillaume Dasquie, was accused in
December of ‘compromising national defence intelligence’ when he wrote
an article quoting classified reports that French intelligence services
knew of some Al-Qaeda plans before the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Dasquie has refused to name the person who gave him the information.
(AFP via The Tocqueville Connection)
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