View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
December 2, 2008

Journalist in libel case is arrested and strip-searched

By paulmcnally

A national political row has broken out after a French journalist accused of libel was arrested by armed police officers, dragged from his home in front of his young sons and detained.

According to the Paris-based International Herald Tribune, the police treatment of Vitorrio de Filippis, a former director of left-wing daily Libération, is being used by opposition politicians and rights groups as an example of the repressive climate facing French journalists.

The paper’s lawyer has questioned the methods used when libel is not punishable under criminal law. The alleged libel was made in a reader comment posted underneath a story on the Libération website in 2006. Under French law, he is considered to be the publisher.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network