May 12, 2005

A French blogger now sued by a city mayor

Posted at 22:46 in Blogging about blogging, France | | 8 Comments

Moiaout2004-1Christophe Grebert, citizen blogger who was already arrested by the local police for his blog, is now sued by the city mayor because he comments how he does not like the way the city is managed every day on his blog.

The city has voted a budget of 29 000 € (!) to attack him. Christophe will be in front of judges on June 21st and had to borrow money from friends to organize his defense. If you would like to support him, Christophe just added a paypal tipjar donation button and already received close to $1000 of donations from fellow bloggers. I can't believe this story and I hope of course he will win.

update, thanks Cory for your help to spread the word.

I have been trying to donate money to the French blogger's fund but nobody seems to actually link to a site where I can do so. ??? Mon dieu.

librarian blogger, May 13, 2005 at 04:58

Don't let Bush, Karl Rove or any other republicans hear of this - it will give them ideas!

Good luck, Christophe Grebert - bon chance!

Genie, May 13, 2005 at 05:01

Don't let Bush, Karl Rove or any other republicans hear of this - it will give them ideas!

Good luck, Christophe Grebert - bon chance!

Genie, May 13, 2005 at 05:02

Don't let Bush, Karl Rove or any other republicans hear of this - it will give them ideas!

Good luck, Christophe Grebert - bon chance!

Genie, May 13, 2005 at 05:04

Don't let Bush, Karl Rove or any other republicans hear of this - it will give them ideas!

Good luck, Christophe Grebert - bon chance!

Genie, May 13, 2005 at 05:04

as they say in east london 'as a netizen you are never safe'.

auctor, May 13, 2005 at 10:54

Couple of legal points to consider...

1. Article 11 of ECHR - freedome of expression - is obviously applicable.

2. A brief overview of French law suggests that, assuming that this is a defamation action, the classic defences of truth, good faith and qualified privilege are applicable and the burden of proof in this case rests with the Mayor to show that any offending statements have been made in the deliberate knowledge that they are untrue.

Oh, it did say that legal aid should be available as well, not that this should dissuade anyone from contributing to the fighting fund.

Unity, May 13, 2005 at 16:45

I live in Puteaux (France). I know the blog of Christophe Grebert. The opinions that he formulates on his blog are not fair. He critisize everything even the good things. It seems that his only target is not the expression of truth but the majority represented by the mayor of the city. I think you have better things to do with your money than to support his unfair cause.

Patrick, May 16, 2005 at 11:04

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