What does freedom of the press guarantee?
A knowledge question from the official lists (theme: Rights and duties), with its answer explained in English.
On exam day, in French
Que garantit la liberté de la presse ?
- ALe droit des journalistes d'informer librement le public et de donner leur opinionThe right of journalists to inform the public freely and to give their opinionCorrect answer
- BLe droit des journalistes de pousser les gens à commettre des crimesThe right of journalists to push people to commit crimes
- CLe contrôle des journaux par le Gouvernement avant leur publicationGovernment control of newspapers before they are published
- DL'interdiction pour les journalistes de parler des religions et des institutionsA ban on journalists talking about religions and institutions
Explanation
The press is free in France. Journalists can inform the public freely and express their opinion. This freedom is regulated by law.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. The right of journalists to push people to commit crimes — Freedom of the press is regulated by law: journalists cannot incite people to commit crimes or misdemeanours.
- C. Government control of newspapers before they are published — The press is free in France: journalists can inform the public freely.
- D. A ban on journalists talking about religions and institutions — Journalists can share information, including about institutions, public figures or religious beliefs.
French words to remember
- liberté de la pressefreedom of the press
- journalistesjournalists
- informer librement le publicinform the public freely
Official source (in French)
Livret du citoyen 2026, p. 26-27 › I. LES DROITS FONDAMENTAUX › A. Les droits liés à la liberté individuelle › 3. La liberté d’expression — Ministère de l'Intérieur (DGEF), immigration.interieur.gouv.fr · 20 octobre 2026
« Dans ce cadre, la presse est libre en France. Les journalistes peuvent donc librement informer le public sur ce qu’il se passe dans le pays et dans le monde. Ils peuvent aussi exprimer leur opinion sur les événements et diffuser des informations, y compris si cela concerne des institutions, des personnalités ou des croyances religieuses. »
« Néanmoins, la liberté de la presse est encadrée par la loi. Les journalistes ne peuvent pas publier des propos diffamatoires, inciter à commettre des crimes ou des délits ou encore contester des crimes contre l’humanité. »
Independent course, not affiliated with the French Ministry of the Interior.The exam itself is only in French. The English explanations are AI translations, checked by an independent chain (translation, review, blind check against the French sources); no human translator has reviewed them yet.
Page updated on 22 octobre 2026 (date in French format). All questions explained in English