On October 3, the National Bar Council, in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, will organize the 8th edition of Law Day in middle schools, focusing this year on freedom of expression.
Since 2018, this event has mobilized hundreds of lawyers across France to meet students. Their mission: introduce future citizens to the rights and duties that form the foundation of democratic life and help them understand their practical implications.
Key figures for 2024:
600 volunteer lawyers
400 participating schools
« Law Day in middle schools is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness among students about their rights and duties as citizens. This year, by highlighting freedom of expression, we remind them that it is a fundamental right, a pillar of the rule of law and our democracy. We want adolescents to fully understand its value so that everyone can express themselves freely, responsibly, and respectfully, » explains Julie Couturier, president of the National Bar Council.
A fundamental right in democracy
Freedom of expression allows everyone to speak, write, or share their thoughts, whether orally, in the press, at school, or online. It is protected by the French Constitution (1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, Article 11) and the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 10). It is central to democracy, promoting debate, criticism, and the exchange of ideas essential for social progress.
Key historical milestones
1831: Cartoonist Honoré Daumier is sentenced for criticizing King Louis-Philippe.
1881: The Press Freedom Law establishes that everything is allowed except certain abuses (insults, defamation, incitement to hatred).
2015: The attack on Charlie Hebdo tragically demonstrates the cost of exercising free speech, underscoring the importance of defending it.
Freedom of expression at school
Middle and high school students also have the right to express themselves, protected by the Education Code. They can, for example, create a school newspaper, post texts, or express their ideas in student councils, while respecting school rules and others’ rights.
Limits of freedom of expression
No freedom is absolute. Exercising it without limits can have serious consequences:
Insults and outrages: prohibiting humiliation or public insults.
Defamation and fake news: punishing harmful false information.
Harassment and threats: sanctioning violent or intimidating behavior, online or offline.
Invasion of privacy: protecting individuals from sharing personal photos or information without consent.
Deepfakes and violent content: banning harmful or illegal digital content.
Racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, or denialist speech: strictly prohibited and severely punished.
Recent cases illustrate these limits: the Charlie Hebdo case, where satire was legally protected, and the tragic assassination of Samuel Paty, which highlights the importance of education and secularism in teaching this right.
Learning to exercise freedom responsibly
Students are encouraged to reflect: freedom of expression is precious, but it requires respecting others. Sharing ideas, debating, or criticizing is a right, but insulting, harassing, or spreading false information constitutes an abuse punishable by law.
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