
01
Aug 2019
Lvl. 2
State replied
Alert created on: 24 May 2019
n° 58/2019
France
Journalist Ariane Chemin Summoned by Intelligence Services
Source of threatState
CategoryOther acts having chilling effects on media freedom
The Directorate General of Internal Security (DGSI) has summoned journalist Ariane Chemin. A journalist working for the daily Le Monde, she will be heard on 29 May 2019 as part of an investigation into her articles on the Benalla cases (a former member of the President's security service), which significantly affected the government.
Updates
28 Jun 2019
On 29 May 2019, Ariane Chemin and Louis Dreyfus, managing editor of the daily "Le Monde", were questioned by the DGSI as part of an investigation into "disclosing the identity of a member of the special forces". Chemin, who says she was interrogated under anti-terrorist legislation, has asserted her right to silence.
10 Jun 2019
On 23 May 2019, government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye justified on "Europe 1" the summoning of journalists to the DGSI, saying that “the identity of an agent who belongs to the special forces shall not be revealed", and that the State had to protect "some data" essential to "external defense and military activities".
Additional Information
- Interview of Ariane Chemin on Radio France International (RFI) (in French)
- Statement by the IFJ: "France : nouvelle vague d'intimidation envers la presse"
- Opinion column published by Le Monde: "Affaire Benalla, armes au Yémen : « Solidarité avec les journalistes Ariane Chemin et Michel Despratx », convoqués par la DGSI"
- Press statement by the CFDT-Journalists Union: "Un cinquième journaliste convoqué à la Sécurité intérieure : ils remettent le couvert !"
- Press statement by the National Union of Journalists : "DGSI et journalistes : la récidive !"
State replies
Reply from the French authorities