A gendarme from the Compiègne company's horse station called, Monday January 6, 2025, Vincent Gérard, publishing director of Oise Hebdo, in order to hear him following a complaint filed against him. The hearing will take place on Monday January 20, at 2:30 p.m., at the station located next to the Petitpoisson stadium, in the Bellicart district.
The reason for the summons is the complaint filed by Bertrand Giboulet for image rights following the article of December 16, 2024 which reported the double accident that occurred on Saturday December 14 on the RN31, between Compiègne and Soissons. That day, while a hound hunt was in progress, a deer crossed the highway and hit two vehicles.
Two photos for one man
The AVA association (Abolisons la venerie today), notorious and resolute opponents of this traditional hunting activity, are on site. They take photos and videos. In particular from two people, apparently, in the process of writing a report. And one of the two people is not unknown to AVA. This is Bertrand Giboulet, an insurer from Senlis, who hunts with hounds, and who has already opposed AVA activists.
In their video, the AVA activists display, side by side, the image of the man who discusses with the injured people, and an image where this same Bertrand Giboulet seems to burst out, aggressively, in the characteristic attitude of those who want us to stop taking photos, hands out, ready to grab the camera.
In its article, Oise Hebdo reproduced this video.
On December 27, 2024, Bertrand Giboulet sent an email to Oise Hebdo requesting the urgent removal of this video “infringing on privacy”.
Information pertinente
On December 30, 2024, (at 12:09 a.m.!), Oise Hebdo published a long article justifying the legality and relevance of this video and this photo within the framework of the right to information.
It seems that Mr. Giboulet was not convinced by our arguments since he filed a complaint with the gendarmerie.
At this stage, Oise Hebdo would like to point out that there is a fair balance to be found between the right to privacy and the right to image, on the one hand, and the right to freedom of expression and information, on the other hand. These two rights have the same normative value.
Right to information
In this case, the subject covered is the subject of a national debate. The Compiègne forest has been famous for its hunting since François I. The double accident occurred on public roads. It is obviously linked to hunting with hounds. The police intervene. The person photographed occupies an eminent place within this corporation. She is very well known through her profession and does not hesitate to showcase herself on numerous social networks and publicly supports hunting.
Oise Hebdo, which expressed itself in this matter with moderation and balance, which carried out a serious and contradictory investigation, believes that its readers have the right to information on this subject.
