Comment – Two days before a report from the regional chamber of accounts which promises to be cruel for its majority, and on the eve of a demonstration which will further damage its image, cornered from all sides, the mayor LR of Noyon, Sandrine Dauchelle gets frustrated and annoyed. In a very allusive press release, she denounces the “insults”, “defamation”, and “harassment”, to which she and her elected officials are subject “on social networks” or in “certain media”. And calls for nothing more and nothing less than to stunt freedom of expression to silence dissonant voices.
In its second press release of the week (see hereAnd here) Sandrine Dauchelle mocks this Friday, January 3, “unacceptable behavior in a democratic society”, “seriously undermining the dignity of people”. We guess that the latest video of Michel Lebruna leading figure in the associative protest in Noyon, caused a ruckus near the town hall. By targeting in particular the mayor’s deputies – who have been called to resign for many months – and more particularly the first of them, Didier Payen which we understand is embarrassed. We also imagine that our articles and surveys denouncing the Dauchelle system, its mistakes, its approximations and lies no longer pass muster.
The strategy of victimization
But by invoking “insults” and “smear campaigns” whether they come from “Internet users” or “certain journalists”, Sandrine Dauchelle knowingly maintains the confusion. And chose as always the path of victimization.
We refrain from insulting, we modestly claim to inform. Providing a space for expression, even anonymously, to the ever-increasing number of agents dismissed in recent months is not harassment. Denouncing the majority’s changes in discourse is not defamation. Denouncing poor financial management is not insulting.
As for the satirical videos, they seem to play their role perfectly: to mock a power that is deaf to demands.
Finally, as for comments made by Internet users on social networks, only their authors are responsible. On its social networks, Oise Hebdo deletes messages deemed offensive or defamatory when they are spotted and/or reported.
If Oise Hebdo had however defamed or insulted itself in recent months, it would be up to the courts to say so since Sandrine Dauchelle and her relatives have decided to counter-attack in the legal field in recent months. Assigning in particular the director of the judo club, and according to our information – despite the absence of a summons for the moment – also our title.
The height of irony is that while the mayor systematically refuses to answer our questions, she says she wants a “constructive and peaceful dialogue between elected officials, citizens and the media”. Our columns remain, as always, open to him.
Limiting freedom of expression… even more?
Paradoxically, it is by cloaking herself in the values of “democracy” that Sandrine Dauchelle calls for reducing freedom of expression, calling for “reinforced regulation of online discourse” and claiming to be able to define herself what “exceeds the limits of freedom of expression. Would she address the government? It is true that at her level Sandrine Dauchelle has already done everything she could to muzzle her opponents.
Also, if Sandrine can control “freedom of expression” in the municipal council by requiring the opposition to ask various questions in advance and prohibiting any debate afterwards, Dauchelle cannot censor sarcastic videos on YouTube or TikTok .
If Sandrine can control “freedom of expression” by blocking comments under city publications on social networks, Dauchelle cannot prevent angry, desperate, amused messages on our Facebook page or that of the community from the Little Info Bazaara page particularly followed in Noyonnais.
If Sandrine can control the speech of her opponents, for example on a community council evening by cutting off the microphone of her rebellious vice-presidents, Dauchelle cannot prevent Noyonnais from demonstrating.
Sandrine Dauchelle can still completely illegally publish content of a political nature on her Facebook page, and on her paper publications, sometimes omitting – always completely illegally – to leave space for her objections. Sandrine Dauchelle can end broadcasts from community and municipal councils without explanation to hide poverty. Sandrine Dauchelle can do a lot at her level. But cannot completely stifle the freedom of criticism.
Finally: a lot of energy to combat the consequences of discontent, very little it seems, to resolve its causes.
Since this is a question of freedom of expression, let us remind you that if you wish to support an independent local press, attached to no media group, with total freedom of tone, and which does not have for the editorial line of sparing decision-makers in order to hope for interviews or exclusive information, it is possible to make a donation to Oise Hebdo thanks to the “J’aime l’info” association. By following this link: https://donorbox.org/oise-hebdo?language=fr. For an independent and free online press.
