Freedom of expression and information are recognised as fundamental values of the French Republic. France has developed a robust legal framework protecting journalists, grounded in the Law of 29 July 1881 on the Freedom of the Press, which safeguards freedom of expression while ensuring accountability.

Key legal protections include:

• Protection of journalistic sources (Article 2 of the 1881 Law).
• Special procedural guarantees in the Code of Criminal Procedure for searches, requisitions, transcriptions, and hearings involving journalists.
• Recognition of journalists’ independence, including the right to refuse to disclose sources, sign altered work, or yield to editorial pressure.
• Labour law guarantees for journalists’ professional autonomy and severance protection.
• Enhanced penalties (Law of 24 August 2021, Article 223-1-1 of the Penal Code) for doxxing or targeting journalists.

France has also adopted civil, commercial, and criminal safeguards against SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation), including fines for abusive proceedings.

At the operational level, the National Policing Scheme (SNMO, 2022) sets rules for journalists’ safety during public demonstrations. It ensures freedom of movement and communication with police forces for accredited journalists, validated by the Council of State (29 December 2023, n° 461513).

Nevertheless, challenges persist, particularly attacks on journalists during demonstrations and online harassment. In 2023–2024, the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Safety of Journalists recorded nine new alerts concerning France, while Mapping Media Freedom reported 21 incidents.

A controversial parliamentary proposal in February 2024 to extend defamation complaint deadlines was withdrawn after criticism from journalists’ unions, who warned of potential chilling effects on investigative journalism.

No national action plan on the safety of journalists exists yet, but discussions are ongoing within the national committee framework.

France supports the implementation of the EU Directive (2024/1069) on protecting journalists and others against abusive legal proceedings (SLAPPs), adopted on 11 April 2024 and to be transposed by May 2026.

The directive provides:

• Rapid dismissal of manifestly unfounded claims.
• Possible requirement for plaintiffs to provide financial guarantees.
• Sanctions and compensation for defendants facing abusive litigation.
• Protection against recognition of SLAPP judgments from third countries.

France intends to transpose the directive into national law, potentially extending its procedural guarantees beyond cross-border cases to all SLAPPs, thereby ensuring equal protection domestically.