Macron Calls American Free Speech the Opposite of Freedom in Sept. 29 Broadside
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 8
Macron Calls American Free Speech the Opposite of Freedom in Sept. 29 Broadside
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 8
Summary
Sept. 29 remarks by Emmanuel Macron cast American-style free speech as the opposite of real freedom, arguing liberty requires limits tied to others’ rights and a shared public framework.
Macron framed unrestricted expression as harmful, saying freedom cannot include insulting others, a formulation critics say mirrors France’s broader readiness to criminalize offensive or inflammatory speech.
France has enforced speech limits through cases involving antisemitic remarks, anti-Roma comments and criticism of Islam, reflecting laws against incitement or intimidation based on race or religion.
The dispute reaches beyond France through EU-backed rules such as the Digital Services Act, which Macron and allies have supported as a tool against disinformation and incitement online.