- The writers and philosophers of the Enlightenment were the first to defend the principle of freedom of expression, but it was during the French Revolution that it was affirmed in article 11 of the Declaration of the rights of the man and the citizen :"every citizen can speak, write, print freely".
- After 1789, successive regimes recognized freedom of expression, but controlled the press through fiscal, financial, administrative, legislative and even judicial provisions. For example, under the July Monarchy, the press was forbidden to publish any publication that could harm the king and the monarchical system.
- In 1870, a new democratic regime was put in place:the III th Republic.
- The 19th th century is the golden age of the press thanks to the progress of the printing press.
July 29, 1881
Characters
Jules Ferry
Procedure
At the advent of the III th Republic, under the government of Jules Ferry, the law on the freedom of the press was promulgated on July 29, 1881. Article I affirms “printing and bookshops are free”. This legal text imposes a legal framework on all publications, public display, peddling and sale on the public highway. This law makes it possible to freely communicate one's opinions and thoughts in all publications.
Freedom of the press is recognized as being a component of freedom of expression, as are freedom of association, assembly, demonstration and respect for others. Freedom of the press is one of the fundamental principles in democratic systems.
To ensure this freedom, the law also defines the limits allowing its exercise:it is the protection of other rights. It is forbidden to publish messages inciting hatred, violence and pornography, in order to ensure public order, protect minors and human dignity. Insults and defamation are also punishable.
Consequences
- The media can influence public opinion, as was the case with the Dreyfus Affair. From the law of 1881 to France's entry into the war in 1914, the press is at the center of society. It is aimed at all social classes and is diversifying.
- The law of July 29, 1881 is still in force, it has been supplemented by other legal texts in order to guarantee its exercise. At the international level, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of December 10, 1948 declares that “everyone has the right to freedom of expression and opinion”.