The day after the fire in the hills of Cagnes-sur-Mer, a Nice-Matin journalist was insulted and thrown to the ground during a field report. The perpetrator of the assault would be the son of the farm owner, a municipal councilor of the National Rally in the municipality.
On Wednesday, August 5, the Nice-Matin journalist traveled to the site of the fire, accompanied by the vice-president of France Nature Environment 06, Jeannine Blondel, then 84 years old. The owner of the charred greenhouses gladly accepted their visit, but formally prohibited the photojournalist from coming.
As a reminder, at the damaged site, charred wrecks of luxury cars were found. This suggested another illicit activity that is not part of an agricultural operation.
The report turns into a confrontation
The interview focused on the site that caught fire to assess the situation and questions about urban planning law applicable to this area, according to Frédéric Maurice, head of the Nice edition of “Nice-Matin.”
During the interview, the tone suddenly changed when a question displeased the owner. He raised his voice and gestures against Jeannine B “just a few centimeters from her, screaming at her,” confirmed Frédéric M. Not appreciating this behavior, the journalist naturally took the defense of the octogenarian.
The tone escalated, insults were directed at the reporter and the son of the farmer decided to worsen the situation by attacking her verbally. The elected official did not stop there, he “directly lunged at my colleague, insulted her and knocked her to the ground. It was quite violent,” confided the Nice edition chief. The journalist then decided to film the scene as she left and “the son snatched the phone from my colleague’s hands to take it, then eventually returned it,” he claimed.
Freedom of the press belongs to everyone
“If someone is unhappy, I completely understand that. But violence is never acceptable. One should not insult, threaten, hit or shove,” warns the journalist. He added that because “he is on the municipal council in Cagnes-Sur-Mer, he should be even more exemplary. His gestures and words are particularly inappropriate and scandalous.”
Frédéric M. pointed out that it is possible to refuse to answer a journalist’s question, which is obviously legitimate. Insults, threats or violence, however, are not and never are.
It is an attack on freedom of the press that is recalled in the editorial published by Guilhem Ricavy titled “The Unacceptable“. He reaffirms that it “is not a privilege granted to journalists. It is a right guaranteed to all citizens. […] Attacking this freedom means weakening a pillar of our democracy.“
It is therefore important to reiterate that exercising part of freedom of expression must not be done in fear. This requirement of respect for principles, especially coming from a public figure, is essential; even if there is disagreement. It is a reminder for everyone: it is possible to refuse a journalist’s question, and it is essential to respect the one who upholds the freedom to inform.
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