Broadcast trials on television?
This is one of the measures envisaged by Eric Dupond-Moretti as part of his major reform aimed at restoring citizens' confidence in justice.
Wednesday morning on
France Inter,
the Minister of Justice indicated that he wanted, with a double perspective of transparency and education, to show justice on the small screen in all its diversity: criminal proceedings, divorces, immediate appearances ... "
The French do not know justice
”, justified Eric Dupond-Moretti.
The broadcasting of these trials will take place only “
when the cases are finally judged.
I do not want any interference between the real trial and the media trial,
”said the Minister of Justice.
"
There will then be educational explanations provided by a magistrate or a lawyer who are not on the case to make the French understand what they have just seen and what they have just heard
", detailed the minister of Justice.
It is not a question of pouring into the trash, the sensationalism.
The idea is to take the citizens who so wish by the hand to lead them into the room where the trials are taking place and show them how it works.
Eric Dupond-Moretti
“
It is not a question of pouring into the trash, the sensationalism.
The idea is to take citizens who wish by the hand to lead them into the room where the trials are taking place and show them how it works,
”said the former lawyer, in an interview with Le Point on Tuesday
.
The recordings, for which the Chancellery will have to give its agreement, can then be broadcast “
on television, on the public service.
I had a number of contacts with Madame Delphine Ernotte, the president of France Télévisions,
”Eric Dupond-Moretti told the radio.
Blurring and the right to be forgotten
If in France, the hearings are public, their capture is prohibited.
But since the Badinter law of 1985, it is however possible, on an exceptional basis, to film certain trials on condition that they are of historical interest.
Like the recent trial of the January 2015 attacks, that of Maurice Papon or, in another register, hearings concerning the AZF disaster.
Even if the Keeper of the Seals promises a “
right to be forgotten
” and a “
respect for the victims
” thanks in particular to the use of blurring, the audiovisual recording of certain trials nevertheless raises concerns.
In the columns of Le
Point
, Béatrice Brugère, from the Unity Magistrates union, fears an “
Americanization
” of justice.
What about the presumption of innocence?
The safety of witnesses and investigators ?, asks the trade unionist, before ironing: "
Spectacle justice is underway while we are sorely lacking in computers
".
