The UMP clearly has a problem with press freedom…
Already, during Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit on March 9, 2012, UMP supporters had chanted: “Socialists and journalists to the sea!”, which wasn’t very nice. Those targeted by these courtesies should have been wary!
On Sunday evening, it was two journalists from France 3 Côte d’Azur who were targeted at the UMP headquarters in Nice.
Instead of offering apologies, the Estrosi-Ciotti duo chose to create yet another diversion by bringing the matter to the CSA. This approach is, however, completely futile, and they know it very well. On one hand, the CSA absolutely does not have the power to force a media outlet to cover any specific event; this is what we call press freedom. On the other hand, it’s precisely the CSA, by demanding strictly equal treatment among all candidates, that forces the media to make the type of choices that upset the UMP.
In any case, the PRG 06 offers its full support to journalists in general, and to those from France 3 Côte d’Azur, in particular. It is evidently necessary to remind that, in a democracy, their place is neither “in the sea” nor at the end of a leash.
