Press freedom news was once again highlighted recently with the affair of journalist Ariane Lavrilleux of Disclose. This investigator was held in police custody for forty hours, arousing the indignation and anger of many defenders of freedom of information.
During a press conference organized by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Ariane Lavrilleux denounced what she considers to be a “new milestone” taken against the freedom to inform. She said that if we do not protect journalistic sources, it means the end of journalism as we know it today.
The case in question concerns an investigation by Disclose into a French intelligence program in Egypt. According to leaked information, this program was allegedly hijacked by the Egyptian state to carry out airstrikes against suspected smugglers on the Egypt-Libya border. Faced with these revelations, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces filed a complaint for violation of National Defense secrecy.
As part of this case, a former soldier suspected of being one of Ariane Lavrilleux’s sources was indicted for misappropriation and disclosure of national defense secrets. These offenses are punishable by heavy prison sentences and fines.
This arrest and indictment raised strong criticism regarding respect for press freedom. Ariane Lavrilleux denounced the fact that considerable resources from the intelligence services and the justice system were mobilized to track down a journalist and her sources, instead of focusing on the fight against terrorism, which is normally their primary mission.
The journalist also stressed that this affair highlights the importance of investigative journalism in the fight against the silence surrounding arms sales to dictatorships. She believes that it is thanks to journalists like her that these practices can be denounced and that transparency can be demanded.
This case once again highlights the difficulties journalists face in the exercise of their profession. The protection of journalistic sources is an essential pillar of press freedom, and any act aimed at restricting this freedom is an attack on democracy.
It is essential that the authorities recognize the crucial role of journalists in society and put in place measures to guarantee their protection and freedom to inform. Without this, democracy is in danger.