Journalist Ariane Lavrilleux of Disclose recently made headlines for spending forty hours in police custody. This situation has sparked a lively debate on freedom of information and the protection of journalistic sources.
Ariane Lavrilleux’s investigation focused on a French intelligence program in Egypt, and the courts suspect a former soldier of being one of its sources. The latter was indicted for misappropriation and disclosure of national defense secrets.
During a press conference, Ariane Lavrilleux expressed her indignation at what she considers to be an attack on the freedom to inform. She denounced a “misuse of justice services” and underlined the importance of protecting journalistic sources to preserve journalism.
The journalist recounted how authorities searched her home in Marseille, taking away her phones, computers and USB sticks. She also revealed that she had been under surveillance for some time, a situation she described as being treated like a “delinquent.”
Ariane Lavrilleux stressed that this case represented a violation of the freedom to inform and the protection of journalistic sources. She also criticized the fact that considerable resources were devoted to tracking down a journalist and her sources, to the detriment of the fight against terrorism.
She also stressed the importance of press freedom in a democracy and said the arrest and indictment of a former soldier was an attempt at intimidation aimed at silencing critical voices.
Ariane Lavrilleux concluded by saying that her arrest demonstrated the need to end the silence surrounding arms sales to dictatorships, and that investigative journalism was essential to expose such practices.
This case raises fundamental questions about press freedom and the protection of journalistic sources. It highlights the crucial role of investigative journalists in the fight against opacity and abuse of power. It is essential to defend these values to guarantee a fair and transparent society.