French deputies have extended the offense of obstructing abortion to websites. They will now have to clearly state their opposition to abortion.
Anti-abortion will now have to advertise the color on the Internet. The National Assembly adopted this 1er December, the extension of the offense of obstructing abortion. Digital media are now affected by this provision. It is particularly aimed at sites which convey partial or false information under the guise of objectivity. They will have to modify their content to clearly display their opposition to the voluntary termination of pregnancy. Otherwise, they risk two years imprisonment and a fine of 30,000 euros.
Mocking Internet users
“Freedom of opinion is not the right to lie”, recalled Laurence Rossignol. The Minister of Families, Children and Women’s Rights ardently defended the bill submitted by Catherine Coutelle (PS). On the benches of the Assembly, the debate was vigorous to say the least. The Republican camp is clearly opposed to such an evolution of the law, in the name of the defense of freedom of expression. “What is shocking is your moralizing vision, giving lessons, deciding what is good and what is not,” said Dominique Tian. This deputy had a few days earlier relayed the “call of the bishops”.
On Twitter, Internet users have not failed to note some inconsistencies within the right hemicycle. At the rostrum, only elected male representatives defended their positions.
And who better than a 50-year-old Catholic man to talk to you about abortion? ” #DelitDentraveIVG pic.twitter.com/J6xcWUf6Iq
– Tania (@TaniaKessaouti) December 1, 2016
To talk about abortion and women’s rights, the right has therefore chosen to involve … 7 men. (via @ salam93) #DelitDentraveIVG #LR pic.twitter.com/Y9tsjzfaVa
– Ellen Salvi (@ellensalvi) December 1, 2016
The socialist majority has shown itself to be firm and determined. Laurence Rossignol underlined her attachment to freedom of expression… but also to transparency. “Anti-abortion groups (…) are now advancing masked,” said the minister. In fact, anti-abortion sites are creative to give themselves a respectable, even governmental aspect: setting up a toll-free number, resuming visual codes … A manifest deception, in the eyes of elected officials on the left.
Fight against psychological pressures
The official texts are clear on their side. The offense of obstruction, founded in 1993 and gradually enriched, punishes anyone who wants to prevent access to an abortion by physical means or psychological pressure. The crime of digital obstruction is based on this last point: through a semblance of objectivity, the sites in question dissuade and blame the women who make inquiries.
The best example of this deception remains the frequently cited ivg.net site. “All the information on abortion you need: medical, psychological, legal or social,” says the header of the site. The colors are clean, the appearance neutral. But there are a few things that sparkle in the ears. Melancholy women, in the grip of doubt, illustrate a good number of entries. The article “Abortion and women’s health” is content to list the possible complications, supporting bibliography. The “Health” tab is also subtitled “The risks of abortion”. But only a cold and thorough analysis can be sure. This is not necessarily the case for a woman faced with an unexpected pregnancy.
A site was founded by the Ministry of Health – ivg.gouv.fr. Well referenced, it still struggles to reach the first lines of requests.
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