Brussels (AFP)
The European Commission recalled Monday that journalists should be able to "do their work freely and safely", after the vote by French deputies of a controversial text penalizing the malicious dissemination of images of the police.
"The Commission refrains from commenting on bills, but it goes without saying that in times of crisis it is more important than ever that journalists can do their work freely and in safety," he told the AFP a spokesperson for the European executive, Christian Wigand.
"As always, the Commission reserves the right to examine the final legislation in order to verify its conformity with EU law", he added.
The proposed law "Global security" under discussion in parliament in France, and in particular its article 24 voted on Friday which intends to penalize the malicious dissemination of photographs of police officers during demonstrations, raises the indignation of the organizations of journalists and defenders of public freedoms .
Denounced as an attack on "freedom of expression" and "the rule of law", it sparked demonstrations on Saturday which gathered several thousand people in France.
"We are following the situation closely," said the spokesperson for the Commission which, as guardian of the treaties, ensures that European law is respected and applied.
"When drafting their security legislation, Member States must respect the principle of proportionality and strike the right balance between ensuring public safety and protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens, including liberty of expression, media freedom, freedom of association, the right to respect for private life and access to information, ”the spokesperson recalled.
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