|
France ends 'happy slapping'
07/03/2007 19:38 - (SA)
Paris - A French law that took effect on Wednesday aims to crack down on a practice known as "happy slapping", in which acts of violence are filmed and distributed on the internet or between cellphones.
Critics say the law has the undesirable side effect of trampling freedom of expression, by making it a crime for anyone but professional journalists to record and distribute real-world scenes of violence.
The "happy slapping" phenomenon - which began in Britain, and whose name belies the gravity of the attacks - mostly involves youths. Often, the victims are strangers.
Violators will be subject to up to five years in prison under the new measure, part of a broad new anti-crime bill championed by interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy and passed in parliament in February.
Sarkozy is also a leading presidential candidate.
The law was published in the government's official journal on Wednesday after the constitutional council gave its final approval at the weekend.
'France hinders freedom of expression'
Ligue Odebi, an association that seeks to protect freedom of expression on the internet, said the measure will also hinder citizens' abilities to expose police brutality.
"This makes France the western country that most infringes on freedom of expression and information - particularly on the internet," said the group on its website.
Ligue Odebi noted the council's approval on Saturday fell on the 16th anniversary of the March 3 1991 beating of motorist Rodney King by Los Angeles police officers in a scene captured on amateur video - a case that sparked a national outcry in the United States.
The French law says that anyone who "knowingly" films illegal acts of violence and distributes the images can be considered an accomplice - but that professional journalists are exempt.
On the net:
www.odebi.org
|
News
