Since the adoption of the Dati law, it is possible to lift the secrecy of sources by invoking an “overriding imperative of public interest”.
Published on 13/01/2025 10:32
Updated on 13/01/2025 10:46
Reading time: 1min
More than 80 press organizations on Monday, January 13, asked the government to “guarantee the protection of the secrecy of sources”before the possible indictment of a journalist from the investigative media Disclose targeted by an investigation into breaches of defense secrecy. Ariane Lavrilleux is summoned on Friday by an investigating judge, said Disclose, which denounces “a new direction” francs “in the pressure exerted against journalists who investigate state affairs”.
The secrecy of sources has been protected since 2010 by the Dati law. But “insufficiently protective, the current legal framework is now abused or circumvented”plead these organizations, including the NGO Reporters Without Borders, the SNJ and CFDT unions, the Albert Londres Prize association and a series of media including StreetPress and Médiacités.
-In an open letter addressed to the Prime Minister, as well as to the Ministers of Culture, the Interior, Justice and the Armed Forces, these organizations present five proposals, developed by a working group made up of journalists and lawyers specializing in press law.
Since the Dati law, it is possible to lift the secrecy of sources by invoking a “overriding imperative of public interest”which is poorly circumscribed. “It is imperative to narrow the field” of this notion, underline the signatory organizations.
They also demand that “any act of investigation – such as searches, geolocations, etc. – which could compromise the secrecy of sources is subject to prior authorization from an independent judge”.
The organizations further request that “people other than journalists can use it”like the authors of investigative works or the directors of documentaries. Finally, according to them, it would be necessary “create an offense of violating the secrecy of sources”.
