Image
International Day for Universal Access to Information
Freedom of expression and the fight agains misinformation: Arcom's educational resources and actions
Translations are provided as a service to Arcom users and are supplied “as is”, throught the DeepL tool. Consequently, only the text of the original version is authentic.
Please note that not all the files have been translated.
Arcom invites you to browse its educational resources on freedom of expression and discover the means used by online platforms, under the Authority's supervision, to fight information manipulation.
Within the framework established by the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication, theArcom, the French law of September 30, 1986 on freedom of communication, ensures that television and radio publishers abide by the rules and commitments in terms of rights and freedoms.
The Authority's mission is to supervise the means used by online platforms to protect audiences while guaranteeing freedom of expression.
Freedom of expression in the audiovisual media
Freedom of expression, i.e. the right to freely express one's opinions, is one of the fundamental freedoms that underpin our democracy. Guaranteeing and respecting it fosters the emergence of a society that is open, tolerant and respectful of the rule of law.
Arcom's mission is to guarantee freedom of communication, as set out in article 1 of the law of September 30 1986. Freedom of communication means freedom of communication for the public. The aim is to guarantee the public's freedom of opinion. This can only be restricted by way of exception, when certain essential principles are seriously infringed.
The law imposes a certain number of principles that TV and radio channels must abide by (these principles are to be found in the agreements of private channels, and in the specifications of missions and charges for public channels):
- Respect for human dignity;
- Protection of public order;
- Independence of information;
- The imperative of honesty;
- Rigor.
Fighting information manipulation
Arcom is called upon to intervene on issues linked to the activity of online platforms, particularly in terms of fighting against the manipulation of information or online hate.
With regard to the fight against information manipulation, the 2018 law requires platforms to make a reporting scheme accessible and visible, and to deploy additional measures, for example in favor of the transparency of their algorithms.
Arcom publishes the annual declarations of online platform operators on means to fight agains information manipulation. In 2022, twelve operators submitted a declaration to Arcom: Dailymotion, Google, LinkedIn, Meta, Microsoft, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, Webedia, the Wikimedia Foundation and Yahoo!
On the same subject
Media literacy, information literacy and digital citizenship kit
24 August 2022
In preparation for the start of the new school year, Arcom provides teachers with teaching resources on the challenges of freedom of expression, media representations, respect for copyright, promotion of legal supplies and good Internet practices.
New challenges, new missions: what prospects for the regulation of digital communication?
05 April 2022
The creation of Arcom on January 1, 2022 opened a new page in regulation, in tune with the societal challenges of our time.
Press and Media Week in Schools 2022: educational resources and Arcom initiatives in media and information literacy
21 March 2022
Arcom is partnering CLEMI for Press and Media Week at school from March 21 to 26, 2022. The audiovisual and digital communications regulator is conducting nationwide initiatives to educate people about the media, information and digital citizenship.