French MPs debate ban on 'false' anti-abortion websites
The original intent of the law was to prevent pro-life activists from physically blocking access to abortion clinics.
The bill would extend to cyberspace a 1993 law criminalising "interference" in abortions in the form of "false information"
Recommended articles
The debate comes less than five months before France elects a new president, with the rightwing Republicans party candidate Francois Fillon, a staunch Catholic who says he is "personally" opposed to abortion but will not try to overturn the law, tipped to win.
"Freedom of expression should not be confused with manipulating minds," Socialist Family Minister Laurence Rossignol said as the debate kicked off.
The bill would extend to cyberspace a 1993 law criminalising "interference" in abortions in the form of "false information".
ADVERTISEMENT
The 1993 law needs to be adapted to "the digital reality", Rossignol said. "Thirty years ago militants chained themselves to abortion clinics... today their successors are continuing this fight on the web."
The law is punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of 30,000 euros ($31,900).
The bill "is totally against freedom of expression," Bruno Retailleau, who heads the Republicans party group in the Senate, told French radio Thursday.
He added that the bill went against the "spirit" of the 1975 law that legalised abortion, which called for women to be informed of alternatives.
Health Minister Marisol Touraine, for her part, denounced what she called a "cultural climate that tends to make women feel guilty" for seeking abortions.
ADVERTISEMENT
The proposed law is aimed at "preventing these websites from disseminating disinformation," Touraine said on French television.
"We have the right in France to be against abortion (and) the right to say you're against abortion," she said, while adding that the bill aims to prevent websites from intentionally misleading women in order to dissuade them from seeking abortions.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
Tinubu wants South Korean company to establish production bases in Nigeria
NCDC remains concerned as mysterious illness continues to spread in 3 northern states
Only God gives power, Atiku resigned to fate in WhatsApp chat with supporters
Why Kogi Assembly can't impeach Ododo over Yahaya Bello's escape - Speaker
New twist as police detain Yahaya Bello's ADC, security detail for aiding his escape
We’re not stopping - Onakoya extends Guinness World record chess marathon target by 2 hours
'We have done it': Tunde Onakoya reaches 58-hour mark chess marathon
Forgive me my papa - Self-acclaimed Hausa traditional ruler kneels to beg Oba of Benin
Fubara grows Rivers IGR by over 100%, less than 1 year after Wike's tenure
Pulse Sports
Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami
Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe
Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
![The woman was recorded, among others, while bathing [BI]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'300'%20height%3D'172'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "The woman was recorded, among others, while bathing [BI]")