Information Threats - In France, a Local Newspaper Massively Bought by Elected Officials to Stifle a Rape Case

Radio France Internationale

Center

Factuality

Ownership

In France, L'Essor Savoyard was the victim of a rare manoeuvre. Annecy's weekly newspaper, a city of 128,000 inhabitants in eastern France, saw its sales increase by 50% on 4 June. A success far from being annoyed: the newspaper's front page reported an investigation into the charges of rape that concerned the first deputy mayor, who was newly elected. On that day, mass purchases were recorded in dozens, or even hundreds of copies. After a few w…