Tough on crime camera phones

More about that stupid French law I noted yesterday:

A new law in France makes it a crime for anyone who is not a professional journalist to film real-world violence and distribute the images on the Internet.

Critics call it a clumsy effort by authorities to battle "happy slapping," the youth fad of filming violent acts — which most often they have provoked — and spreading the images on the Web or between mobile phones.

The measure, tucked deep into a vast anti-crime law that took effect Wednesday, has alarmed media advocates who say it tramples on freedom of expression.

[...]

The measure has implications for online video sites like YouTube, or France's Dailymotion.com. Authorities could ask them to identify the sources of images made available through their sites.

The new provision targets "happy slapping," a phenomenon that began in Britain and whose name belies the gravity of the attacks. Violators will be subject to up to five years in prison and nearly $100,000 in fines.

In France, "happy slapping" appears to be rare. Police have counted about 20 cases of filmed violence or sex attacks, but acknowledge there could be countless others.

Okay, go ahead and dump all your French wine down the sink. (Or give it to me and I'll, er, dispose of it.)

Damian P.

Posted by damian at March 7, 2007 08:48 PM