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.