French Journalist Warns of Press Freedom Crackdown as Court Revives Source Hunt

A French court has ordered the reopening of an investigation into journalist Ariane Lavrilleux over the highly sensitive “Egypt Papers” reporting. Lavrilleux says she thought the case was over after police custody, extensive surveillance, and geolocation tracking, but warned that the renewed proceedings could affect investigative journalists nationwide. Press freedom groups, including Reporters Without Borders, call the move part of a broader “criminalisation of journalism.”

Janette Mike

EXPERIENCED

July 19, 2026

1 min read

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French Journalist Warns of Press Freedom Crackdown as Court Revives Source Hunt

French journalist Ariane Lavrilleux warned of a possible press freedom crackdown after a Paris Court of Appeal ordered the “Egypt Papers” investigation to restart. The case began in 2021 after France’s defence ministry filed a complaint against Lavrilleux, alleging classified information was disclosed. Prosecutors had previously cleared her in 2025, saying the reporting served the public interest. But the appeal revived the source-hunt, prompting Reporters Without Borders to warn of a “criminalisation of journalism” and fear wider consequences for investigators and whistleblowers.

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