The Sarkovy government is taking a stand on the basis of a 1992 decree which stipulates that commercial enterprises should not be promoted on news programs. It is probably completely a coincidence that the companies are non-French and even worst, founded by Americans.
Now, news sites cannot invite viewers to follow them on Facebook or Twitter. Indeed, in my upcoming three week trip to France with the family you will be able to follow the blog on “site formerly known a Facebook and Twitter.”
I love France (which is why I am taking the kids to France on their first international trip). Yet, the French government often seems to embody the most chauvinistic and reactionary elements of the country. That is not unknown for Americans who often watch in embarrassment at our own government in doing things like renaming French Fries as Freedom Fries in the Capitol. Nevertheless, fighting references to the world’s most used social networks is truly Quixotic and silly.
Nevertheless, Christine Kelly, spokesman for France’s Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA), insists that her government is merely trying to advance the free market by limiting the ability of news organizations to make decision in the free market: “why give preference to Facebook, which is worth billions of dollars, when there are many other social networks that are struggling for recognition?” Well, the reason is that millions of people prefer these sites and news organizations are trying respond to the demand of their viewers.
Somewhere French Minister of War André Maginot is smiling . . .
Source: Daily Mail
Jonathan Turley