Council of Europe - Q&A from the press briefing (4 May 2020)

Q: In their last report, the Partner Organizations of the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists mention France, due to a rise in the number of alerts. Do you have any response?

A: Freedom of expression and freedom of the press, including in Europe, are a priority for our country.

The Platform allows Partner Organizations to post all alerts issued in Council of Europe member states; as the report emphasizes, France’s conduct is exemplary with respect to the inter-institutional mechanisms tasked with responding to each alert and coordinating corrective actions. As it notes, this makes it possible to ensure transparency and foster an environment favorable to press freedom.

France intends to resolutely continue its effort to protect journalists and citizens’ access to free, pluralistic, reliable information around the world. As part of the Alliance for Multilateralism, it joins Reporters without Borders in supporting the International Partnership on Information and Democracy launched on November 11 at the Paris Peace Forum.