Macron sues billboard owner for depicting him as Hitler

[Great Algerstonia]

I like a story where everyone in it is a dick.

AITA for turning Emmanuel Macron into Adolf Hitler on a billboard

AITA for being the President of France and suing someone over a billboard

[The Two Jerseys]

You're one of those peeps who believe Prophet Muhammad was made-up?

I didn’t say he was made up, I said exist. It’s clear the he doesn’t exist anymore

Plus last time I checked he doesn't have an estate who can claim damages either.

[Dowaesk]

I didn’t say he was made up, I said exist. It’s clear the he doesn’t exist anymore

Plus last time I checked he doesn't have an estate who can claim damages either.

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. Translated to english: The Prophet's Mosque

[Vistulange]

Plus last time I checked he doesn't have an estate who can claim damages either.

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. Translated to english: The Prophet's Mosque

The man is dead.

And I'm fairly sure I'm not alone in not seeing the relevance between a location that is named "the Prophet's Mosque" and Muhammad not having an estate that can claim damages.

[Dowaesk]

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. Translated to english: The Prophet's Mosque

The man is dead.

And I'm fairly sure I'm not alone in not seeing the relevance between a location that is named "the Prophet's Mosque" and Muhammad not having an estate that can claim damages.

That wasnt at all posted in any seriousness.

[The Two Jerseys]

Plus last time I checked he doesn't have an estate who can claim damages either.

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. Translated to english: The Prophet's Mosque

Which is not the legal owner of Muhammad's name, image, and likeness rights, assuming that it's even possible in the first place to maintain ownership of those rights for someone who's been dead for nearly 1500 years.

[Salus Maior]

You're one of those peeps who believe Prophet Muhammad was made-up?

I didn’t say he was made up, I said exist. It’s clear the he doesn’t exist anymore

I’m sure his bones are somewhere.

[The Two Jerseys]

I didn’t say he was made up, I said exist. It’s clear the he doesn’t exist anymore

I’m sure his bones are somewhere.

Ah yes, the famous case of Dem Bones v. Charlie Hebdo...

[Salus Maior]

Antivaxxers to Macron

[Cetacea]

I'm against insult laws altogether but having extra or specific insult laws for public figures is even worse. If you can get in more trouble for portraying your country's leader as Hitler than doing the same to your neighbor who just works the cash register at the grocery store, that is totally fucked.

It’s a hold over from the days of the French monarchy. Back when insulting the king basically meant death

Which is even more ironic considering French history and Liberté, égalité, fraternité!

Although, is it a Napoleanic law? that would make more sense

[Salus Maior]

It’s a hold over from the days of the French monarchy. Back when insulting the king basically meant death

Which is even more ironic considering French history and Liberté, égalité, fraternité!

Although, is it a Napoleanic law? that would make more sense

France has never lived up to that motto.

Even when they were in the First Republic they were insanely, murderously oppressive.

[Ors Might]

What, like being compared to Hitler is offensive? If you have a strong opinion, someone online is probably already typing up a post comparing you to the fucking SS. Macron’s just whinging, really.

But on the topic of the law, does the fact they put it on a billboard factor into this? Or could Macron have legally sued one of France’s citizens if they had posted a meme to twitter or just made the comparison within earshot of him?

[Major-Tom]

I'd get it if Macron was some everyday guy being libeled and slandered with a billboard that grossly depicts him in that way.

But he's the President of France. Filing suit against someone for being tastelessly satirical is a bad, bad look.

[Thermodolia]

I'd get it if Macron was some everyday guy being libeled and slandered with a billboard that grossly depicts him in that way.

But he's the President of France. Filing suit against someone for being tastelessly satirical is a bad, bad look.

French law however is on the side of the French President

[Thermodolia]

What, like being compared to Hitler is offensive? If you have a strong opinion, someone online is probably already typing up a post comparing you to the fucking SS. Macron’s just whinging, really.

But on the topic of the law, does the fact they put it on a billboard factor into this? Or could Macron have legally sued one of France’s citizens if they had posted a meme to twitter or just made the comparison within earshot of him?

The way the law is written it seems that any insult to the President could be grounds for a suit

[Ors Might]

What, like being compared to Hitler is offensive? If you have a strong opinion, someone online is probably already typing up a post comparing you to the fucking SS. Macron’s just whinging, really.

But on the topic of the law, does the fact they put it on a billboard factor into this? Or could Macron have legally sued one of France’s citizens if they had posted a meme to twitter or just made the comparison within earshot of him?

The way the law is written it seems that any insult to the President could be grounds for a suit

Normally when I mock France, its just in good fun. Now I have something to genuinely be disgusted at. This is fucking god awful.

[Rusozak]

What, like being compared to Hitler is offensive? If you have a strong opinion, someone online is probably already typing up a post comparing you to the fucking SS. Macron’s just whinging, really.

But on the topic of the law, does the fact they put it on a billboard factor into this? Or could Macron have legally sued one of France’s citizens if they had posted a meme to twitter or just made the comparison within earshot of him?

I know France has some weird laws about public display of Nazi imagery. Beyond that, is there actually any legal excuse they can use?

[GuessTheAltAccount]

I don't think putting a billboard of Macron as Adolf Hitler is really debating at all. It's just trolling Macron.

What about the comics with Prophet Muhammad showing his rear. Or with a bomb in his Turban. Or the many more offensive drawings done by Charlie Hebdo, whether it be someone other than Prophet Muhammad as well.

It's such a disappointment, really, that after portraying themselves during the Je Suis Charlie controversy as shining knights of freedom of speech that it turned out to be all an act.

On the other hand, at least the Internet's casual France-bashing now seems more justified.

[Baltenstein]

Given that Hitler comparison have lost all meaning and gravitas a long time ago, Macron should really just ignore it.

[Dowaesk]

What about the comics with Prophet Muhammad showing his rear. Or with a bomb in his Turban. Or the many more offensive drawings done by Charlie Hebdo, whether it be someone other than Prophet Muhammad as well.

It's such a disappointment, really, that after portraying themselves during the Je Suis Charlie controversy as shining knights of freedom of speech that it turned out to be all an act.

On the other hand, at least the Internet's casual France-bashing now seems more justified.

France is literally asking for more. Hence I dont see any reason why we shouldnt.

Given that Hitler comparison have lost all meaning and gravitas a long time ago, Macron should really just ignore it.

We all Hitlers.

[The Free Joy State]

for reference, this is what the billboard looks like

(Image)

They could have at least put some effort into it.

I am of the belief that political figures should not be above satire and criticism, but this is just lazy.

What is this trend with anti-vaxxers who compare themselves to victims of a genocide anyway?

The fact that the billboard is a lazy, bad, shit-tier meme -- offensive to Jewish people and all those who were actual victims of a genuine genocide -- that came from the same depths where anti-vaxxers meet to make Jewish star badges telling the world they are not vaccinated does not mean Macron should win his court-case, however.

That said, the billboard is bad and the person who did it should feel bad.

[Hakinda Herseyi Duymak istiyorum]

Billboard using freedom of expression. Just like Charlie Hebdo magazine, there is freedom of expression. (picture) On the other hand, while reading Charlie Hebdo magazine, I feel how much humor gives me pleasure in my whole body. The political Islam game is over. Emmanuel Macron may have made a mistake, but I appreciate his fight against political Islam

[Thermodolia]

Billboard using freedom of expression. Just like Charlie Hebdo magazine, there is freedom of expression. (picture) On the other hand, while reading Charlie Hebdo magazine, I feel how much humor gives me pleasure in my whole body. The political Islam game is over. Emmanuel Macron may have made a mistake, but I appreciate his fight against political Islam

The thing is that France, like many nations, does not have absolute freedom of speech like the US. There’s actually a lot of restrictions on what you can say in France from anti-hate speech laws to anti-Nazi laws to desecration of national symbols. Yes in France you can go to jail if you burn or destroy the French flag.

So this whole thing isn’t freedom of expression under French laws because the President is protected from insults, also the protection from insults only extends to the President really.

Meanwhile the other is freedom of speech because mocking a dead guy is perfectly legal

[Infected Mushroom]

Billboard using freedom of expression. Just like Charlie Hebdo magazine, there is freedom of expression. (picture) On the other hand, while reading Charlie Hebdo magazine, I feel how much humor gives me pleasure in my whole body. The political Islam game is over. Emmanuel Macron may have made a mistake, but I appreciate his fight against political Islam

The thing is that France, like many nations, does not have absolute freedom of speech like the US. There’s actually a lot of restrictions on what you can say in France from anti-hate speech laws to anti-Nazi laws to desecration of national symbols. Yes in France you can go to jail if you burn or destroy the French flag.

So this whole thing isn’t freedom of expression under French laws because the President is protected from insults, also the protection from insults only extends to the President really.

Meanwhile the other is freedom of speech because mocking a dead guy is perfectly legal

These are very reasonable restrictions on the right to free speech; it helps to protect the authority of the state.

[Dowaesk]

Billboard using freedom of expression. Just like Charlie Hebdo magazine, there is freedom of expression. (picture) On the other hand, while reading Charlie Hebdo magazine, I feel how much humor gives me pleasure in my whole body. The political Islam game is over. Emmanuel Macron may have made a mistake, but I appreciate his fight against political Islam

Again. Prophet Muhammad with his rear showing, is Political Islam?