Informer n'est pas un délit

Description

Informer n’est pas un délit (Reporting is not a crime) is a French collective of journalists working across print, radio, television and online media. It was formed to defend freedom of information through citizen-facing campaigns. It formed informally in January 2015 in response to the introduction of a “trade secrets” clause into the French bill known as the loi Macron. The resulting mobilisation led the Economy Minister to withdraw the disputed amendment.

Months later, the European Commission proposed a directive establishing trade secrecy rules across the European Union that the collective considered highly restrictive and damaging to freedom of information. It mobilised again, working alongside partner organisations in the Stop secrets d’affaires coalition, from the drafting of the directive through to its transposition into French law. Although its arguments were not heeded and trade secrecy protections became law, the collective continues to warn about the resulting dangers to citizens’ access to information and to press freedom.

The collective also mobilises on other press freedom issues as they arise, including media concentration, cases of censorship, pressure on journalists and newsrooms, and legal proceedings against the press. It is run by a small board of named officers, including a president, a treasurer and two vice-presidents.