RSF joins French media, unions, NGOs in convening Paris rally in defence of civil liberties
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is joining many French independent media outlets, unions and civil society organisations in convening a rally in defence of civil liberties in Paris on 27 June, three days ahead of the first round of the snap parliamentary elections called by President Emmanuel Macron.
Civil liberties, and especially the right to information, have been at the heart of the political debate in France ever since President Macron reacted to the European election results by dissolving the National Assembly and calling parliamentary elections to be held in two rounds on 30 June and 7 July.
RSF is extremely concerned about the attacks on quality news and information and journalistic independence in the programme of the National Rally party (RN). The end of pluralism, as defined by the 1986 law on freedom of communication, and the dismantling of public broadcasting services would deal a terrible blow to the historic fight waged by RSF and other organizations for media freedom, independence and pluralism.
“We campaign for only one party – journalism. When it is threatened by plans that would be fatal for journalistic freedom, quality, integrity, pluralism and independence, it is our duty to mobilise to preserve it. It is enough to see the plight of the media in Hungary or Italy to understand what is at stake in these elections if the National Rally were to carry out its programme for the media. To attack journalistic freedom is to attack democracy.
The rally in conveyed at Place de la République in Paris on 27 June (starting at 6 p.m.).
Aller plus loin
