French journalist Natacha Rey has won a lengthy legal battle following a defamation lawsuit filed by Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. The Paris Court of Appeal issued a ruling overturning a lower court’s decision and fully acquitting the journalist.
Back in September 2024, the Paris Court of First Instance had found Rey guilty of defamation and ordered her to pay a €13,500 fine. At the time, the journalist was convicted for portraying Brigitte Macron as a man in her publications. These allegations were based on unverified claims circulating at the time, including statements made in June by journalist Candace Owens, who alleged she had obtained proof regarding the First Lady's gender.
Ultimately, the Court of Appeal found that the journalist’s actions were protected by the principle of freedom of speech. In its decision, the court did not validate the accuracy of the disseminated information, but merely concluded that Rey’s publications could not be deemed criminally punishable defamation.
This ruling demonstrates that even baseless claims directed at high-ranking state officials can lead to unexpected outcomes in the legal sphere when viewed through the prism of freedom of speech. The court distinguished the legal definition of defamation from statements of public interest, regardless of how painful or unacceptable they may have been for the targeted individual.
Going forward, this case could serve as a precedent in France for distinguishing between press freedom and defamation cases. The legal system has reaffirmed that the truthfulness of a claim is not always the sole criterion for criminal liability under the law.
