France

[FR] Call for Vigilance on the Part of the Audiovisual Media in Handling International Events

IRIS 2001-10:1/13

Charlotte Vier

Légipresse

In its role as the guarantor of pluralism and ethical presentation of news, the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA - official regulatory body) called on all radio and television companies on 3 October to exercise extreme vigilance in handling international events since the terrorist attacks in New York. While praising the discretion and control exercised by most of the audiovisual media in recent weeks, the CSA's Chairman has asked them, in carrying out their editorial responsibilities and having regard to both the regulations in force and their negotiated undertakings, to maintain respect for the principles of freedom, tolerance, dignity of the individual - in particular victims - and for republican values. The same requests were made in 1991 during the Gulf War and again in 1995, when there was a series of terrorist attacks in Paris - prudence and carefulness in dealing with the facts, checking information and indicating sources, and protection of the image of wounded people and witnesses. The recommendation places particular emphasis on the risks of "things getting out of hand" which are more of a problem for the type of broadcast where viewers or listeners are invited to comment on current events, give their opinion or in some cases report on their own experiences. Those in charge will therefore have to ensure that, in general, the programmes do not in any way fuel any tensions or antagonisms that may be stirred up by international events.