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French Watchdog Reins In Media Coverage of IMF Chief
The Wall Street Journal ^ | May 17, 2011 | THOMAS VARELA And GABRIELE PARUSSINI

Posted on 05/17/2011 6:42:50 AM PDT by Second Amendment First

France's broadcasting watchdog called Tuesday on the country's television channels to be extremely cautious in showing footage of International Monetary Fund managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn in handcuffs, a practice that contravenes French law.

In the days since New York City police said Mr. Strauss-Kahn had been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a cleaning woman in his room at the Sofitel Hotel near Times Square, images of the International Monetary Fund chief have flooded airwaves and the pages of newspapers and magazines in France.

The footage has transfixed the nation, not least because French law prohibits cameras inside French courtrooms, as well as any footage of people in handcuffs unless they have been convicted by a court.

In a statement, the broadcasting authority called on "television channels to show the utmost restraint in the broadcasting of images regarding a person involved in criminal proceedings. "The principle of freedom of expression and right to information shouldn't ignore the fact that such images can harm a person's dignity."

The agency couldn't immediately be reached for further comment.

It's unclear whether the broadcasting agency can actually stop television channels from showing the images. Any fines would have to be approved by a court and in any case, the law allows for a maximum fine of 15,000 euros ($21,273).

"We've been watching Strauss-Kahn on prime-time TV shows and on the front page of all newspapers handcuffed, being forcibly pushed into a car by policemen, and this is contrary to the spirit of the law," said Dominique de Leusse, a lawyer for Mr. Strauss-Kahn who is representing him in a separate controversy with French daily newspaper France Soir. "Even if the handcuffs weren't apparent, it was obvious that he was being coerced," he said.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 05/17/2011 6:42:51 AM PDT by Second Amendment First
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To: Second Amendment First

Since this case is being tried in the NY media I doubt France can control their own coverage to any extent.


2 posted on 05/17/2011 6:47:35 AM PDT by Carley (We will not tire. We will not falter. We will not fail. W, 9/20/01)
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To: Second Amendment First
"The principle of freedom of expression and right to information shouldn't ignore the fact that such images can harm a person's dignity."

We certainly wouldn't want to harm the dignity of a rapist.

3 posted on 05/17/2011 6:48:03 AM PDT by Second Amendment First ("Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not..." - Thomas Jefferson.)
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To: Second Amendment First

That’s OK, we are always reminded that the Europeans have a different attitude about sex scandals than we do.


4 posted on 05/17/2011 6:50:08 AM PDT by AU72
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To: Second Amendment First
Whoops!


5 posted on 05/17/2011 6:50:38 AM PDT by Libloather (The epitome of civility.)
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To: Carley

They can’t control images on the internet from US websites. I hope this socialist’s dignity is trashed.


6 posted on 05/17/2011 6:50:45 AM PDT by Second Amendment First ("Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not..." - Thomas Jefferson.)
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To: Libloather

That’s my favorite image. He really looks like a pervert.


7 posted on 05/17/2011 6:51:59 AM PDT by Second Amendment First ("Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not..." - Thomas Jefferson.)
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To: Second Amendment First
"....such images can harm a person's dignity."

As if this profligate, high-flying, low-living, serial womanizer had any "dignity" to begin with.

The barn door is already open, mon amis.

Leni

8 posted on 05/17/2011 6:53:40 AM PDT by MinuteGal (Bring Back the MISERY INDEX! Obama's INDEX! Include Food & Energy in a TRUTHFUL INDEX!)
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To: Second Amendment First
Sarco L'Americain hopes to win elections by using dirty tricks.

I hope French will come to their senses and vote for Marine Le Pen !

9 posted on 05/17/2011 6:54:15 AM PDT by DTA (U.S. Centcom vs. U.S. AFRICOM)
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To: Second Amendment First
France's broadcasting watchdog called Tuesday on the country's television channels to be extremely cautious in showing footage of International Monetary Fund managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn in handcuffs, a practice that contravenes French law.

Who knew that Frogs were so sensitive?

10 posted on 05/17/2011 6:57:51 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Islamophobia: The fear of offending Muslims because they are prone to violence.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

They don’t like the term “frog marched”.


11 posted on 05/17/2011 7:01:54 AM PDT by Second Amendment First ("Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not..." - Thomas Jefferson.)
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To: Second Amendment First
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
12 posted on 05/17/2011 7:02:23 AM PDT by New Perspective (My 7 yr old son has Down Syndrome, are you going to kill him too Obama?)
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To: Second Amendment First

“We certainly wouldn’t want to harm the dignity of a rapist.”

He is a rapist? How do you know it? Tell us please


13 posted on 05/17/2011 7:05:51 AM PDT by mewykwistmas (Lost your job as a birther under Obama? Become a 'deather'! Where's Bin Laden's death certificate?)
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To: New Perspective

IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, aka DSK, did have sex with the maid he is alleged to have assaulted, according to the New York Post.

In a story this morning, the Post says DSK’s defense is going to claim that he did have sex with the maid and that it was consensual.

Other points worth noting from the Post’s story:

Reportedly, the maid is a devout Muslim with a family, and was a well-regarded employee until then. Not exactly who you’d expect to be a “honey trap”, as DSK had feared for a setup.

DSK did have lunch with his daughter, but after checking out of the hotel. So it’s not an alibi as his defense team at first thought/said, but it’s not exactly indicative of a man on the run either. He also made several phone calls “conducting business as usual” according to a Post “source close to the defense.”

http://www.businessinsider.com/imf-chief-had-sex-with-the-maid-post-2011-5


14 posted on 05/17/2011 7:06:30 AM PDT by Second Amendment First ("Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not..." - Thomas Jefferson.)
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To: MinuteGal

Can’t remembe the name of the formerFrench Prime Minister who died a while back..Both his wife AND his long-time mistress attended his state funeral.


15 posted on 05/17/2011 7:07:41 AM PDT by ken5050 (Save the Earth..It's the only planet with chocolate!!!)
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To: mewykwistmas

Positive rape kit, check. Bloody evidence of violence, check. History of sexual assault, check. Feel free to use the work “alleged” if your sensibilities are offended.


16 posted on 05/17/2011 7:12:49 AM PDT by Second Amendment First ("Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not..." - Thomas Jefferson.)
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To: Second Amendment First

Since he is a top dog Socialist the MSM will use the opposite tactics they used on the Duke case.


17 posted on 05/17/2011 7:16:59 AM PDT by screaminsunshine (Shut up and eat your Beans!)
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To: Second Amendment First

Add to that his rather sloppy shifting defense of....

“I was having lunch with my daughter at the time” to “It was consensual” as soon as he heard they had DNA.

Yeah! Sounds as innocent as a newborn shark!


18 posted on 05/17/2011 7:17:13 AM PDT by allmendream (Tea Party did not send the GOP to D.C. to negotiate the terms of our surrender to socialism.)
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To: Second Amendment First

Rape kit and ‘blood evidence’ shows that they had sex, that’s all. You just show your ignorance on the presumption of innocence, and parading him in cuffs serves no purpose but to humiliate him before he was even formally charged.

Get it through your skull: INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
The same works for me, you, him and everyone else.


19 posted on 05/17/2011 7:19:21 AM PDT by mewykwistmas (Lost your job as a birther under Obama? Become a 'deather'! Where's Bin Laden's death certificate?)
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To: MinuteGal
"....such images can harm a person's dignity."

And you don't need pictures.

Just imagine a fat, old French guy charging out of a bathroom stark naked looking for sex. Now, is that dignified or what?

Anyway, this filthy rich, big money man is a hardcore lefty. The left hates the little guy. The left hates women.

20 posted on 05/17/2011 8:00:52 AM PDT by Tribune7 (We're flat broke, but he thinks these solar shingles and really fast trains will magically save us.)
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