The Society of Journalists (SDJ) of the weekly
L'Usine Nouvelle
denounced this Thursday “
the intimidation practices
” of Veolia towards one of its interlocutors, quoted in an article on the proposed merger of the company with Suez.
To read also: Freedom of expression: "The politician, the professor and the journalist", by Luc Ferry
Veolia sent a summons by bailiff to several experts who spoke publicly on the subject, demanding that they state their possible links, direct or indirect, with Suez, and the remuneration potentially received on this occasion.
One of them, the law professor Julien Icard, received this summons on December 7 after having "
deciphered
", in an article published on the site of L'Usine nouvelle, "
the consequences of a legal action between Veolia and Suez, the first projecting a takeover bid on the second
”, explains the SDJ of the economic weekly, in a
press
release.
The SDJ "
cannot accept that the interlocutors of the drafting are subjected to this type of action, relating to intimidation
", she is indignant.
"
The choice of the experts who express themselves in the economic media should not be the object of a sorting on the part of the companies
" but "
returns to the journalists
", in "
complete independence
", adds the SDJ, invoking "
the plurality of opinions
”.
This summons, "
far from ensuring a '' measure of healthy hygiene for our democracy '' as the company claims in a statement published on December 8, can only weaken one of its pillars, the press,
" said the SDJ.
Economist Elie Cohen, who also received a visit from a bailiff and has repeatedly expressed his criticism of the merger project in the media, accused Veolia of "
attempted intimidation
" in a letter published by the Obs Tuesday .
The company assumes its approach, facing the list of forums and statements hostile to its plan to buy out Suez.
"
We tried to understand how so many '' independent experts '' could relay reasoning which seemed directly drawn from the arguments disseminated by the leaders of Suez
", explained the group, adding to have "
easily discovered
" "
close links
" often existing with Suez, its managers or subsidiaries.
Read also: Suez sends bailiffs to Veolia
The leader in water and waste treatment acquired in early October 29.9% of its competitor Suez from Engie, and is planning a takeover bid for the rest of the shares, to the chagrin of Suez, which is crying out for industrial scrapping.
The battle has so far moved to the courts, via remedies on both sides.