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Europe Update: Criminalizing Citizen Journalism and… Two Women Two Countries
A new French law will make it illegal for everyone except professional journalists to film or broadcast acts of violence (committed by others). Keep reading this>>.
Angela Merkel and Ségolène Royal: two women, two countries, but where’s the love?
It is fascinating – and great – to see that, suddenly, women are… or have a chance of becoming the leaders of three of the most powerful Western nations: France, Germany and the United States. In France, Ségolène Royal. In America, Hillary Clinton. In Germany – of course – Angela Merkel (who already is the leader of her country). Keep reading this>>.
One Response to “Europe Update: Criminalizing Citizen Journalism and… Two Women Two Countries”
I agree that restricting civil liberties is a dangerous business. I have to admit, though, that makind these decisions is getting harder, as the world grows more dangerous.
Today’s news reveals that a self acknowledged pedophile is posting pictures of the daughters and granddaughters of politicians to discuss their comparative cuteness. Obama is threatening a lawsuit because the man posted pictures of his daughters. The inevitale civil rights debate is on.
The man hasn’t harmed the girls and claims he has no intention to do so. He has only posted the pictures. Keep in mind that anyone can take your picture as you sunbathe in your backyard and post it on the internet. It’s not so easy to sort out where everyone’s rights lie.
But I know this: if this concerned my children, I would do whatever it took to stop this guy without a moment’s concern for his rights.
In theory, the French law seems almost silly. Are they ready to imprison all those youths with phone cameras? Are they ready to sacrifice the possible aid to crime solving this kind of citizen journalism can be?
In virtual practice, if they were filming an attack on me or mine just for their amusement, I would wish every kind of punishment on them.