Paris Court Sentences 10 for Cyberbullying French First Lady Brigitte Macron

A Paris court has sentenced 10 individuals for cyberbullying Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, following false online allegations regarding her gender identity. The convictions come as part of a broader effort to combat harassment and misinformation spread on social media. The individuals, aged between 41 and 65, were found guilty for disseminating degrading and malicious comments that falsely claimed Brigitte Macron was transgender, alleging that she was born male. The court’s ruling included a range of penalties from cyberbullying awareness training to eight-month suspended prison terms. The judges highlighted the severity of the case, noting that some of the harmful posts were viewed tens of thousands of times, amplifying the distress caused to the First Lady and her family. Brigitte Macron did not attend the trial, but she expressed her determination to pursue legal action as a stance against harassment during an interview with TF1 television. The impact of the harassment was further illustrated by testimonies, including that of her daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, who described the emotional toll on her mother and the entire family, emphasizing that such unfounded scrutiny has affected even Macron's grandchildren. Among those sentenced was Delphine Jegousse, 51, who operates under the name Amandine Roy and received a six-month prison term for her significant role in spreading the rumors through a lengthy YouTube video published in 2021. Aurélien PoirsonAtlan, 41, known as Zoé Sagan on social media, received an eight-month suspended sentence after his account was shut down following judicial issues tied to his comments. Some defendants, including a teacher and a political figure, argued in court that their statements were meant to be humorous or satirical, raising questions about the boundaries of free speech in the context of online communications. This high-profile case has reignited debates about the balance between freedom of expression and the need to protect individuals from harassment and falsehoods, an issue that has gained attention in France in recent years. The Macrons have also taken legal action internationally, filing a defamation suit in the United States against influencer Candace Owens for her persistence in promoting similar untrue narratives on her platforms, which are often associated with a fringe conspiracy theory movement. This ruling marks a significant step in addressing cyberbullying and misinformation, underlining the need for accountability in the digital age where baseless allegations can cause serious harm to individuals' lives and reputations. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2