Macron Draws Backlash Over U.S. Free Speech Critique as 5,000 Arrested in French Protests
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 6
Macron Draws Backlash Over U.S. Free Speech Critique as 5,000 Arrested in French Protests
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 6
Summary
Emmanuel Macron faced fierce online backlash after saying the American model of free speech is “the opposite of free speech” and that liberty needs limits tied to public order and truth.
The criticism landed as France confronts widening student unrest: authorities have arrested more than 5,000 people, nearly 200 have been injured, and clashes with riot police have spread nationwide.
891 schools were fully or partly shut Tuesday, and 24 schools have been burned or ransacked since protests that began in mid-September over teacher shortages and crumbling classrooms.
Macron has made similar arguments before, calling in February for more algorithm transparency and “a sort of public order” to curb racist and hate speech online.
The backlash sharpened the contrast between Macron’s call for speech limits and a domestic crisis that is testing his government’s authority across France.