BELGIUM: Media say they will will publish the results of French elections as soon as they are available, despite an embargo in France

Record ID: 863490

  • Title: BELGIUM: Media say they will will publish the results of French elections as soon as they are available, despite an embargo in France
  • Date: 5th May 2012
  • Summary: ON COMPUTER SCREEN, FRANCE MAP AND MESSAGES RECEIVED DURING FIRST ROUND ON APRIL 22 WEB JOURNALIST AT DESK
  • Embargoed: 20th May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Belgium
  • City:
  • Country: Belgium
  • Topics: Business,Communications,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAD0WEDCUX725J3J2CXCWXS3202
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Belgium's main French-speaking newspaper 'Le Soir' will publish on Sunday (May 6) the results of France's presidential elections as soon as reliable numbers are available even though French media have to wait for the official results.
    Official results will be announced in France at 1800gmt.
    The deputy news editor of 'Le Soir' Yurek Kuczkiewicz said the newspaper will not be breaking any law.
    "As soon as the information circulates and has been checked, we will put it out because that information is of interest to our readers, our internet users and because we are not subject to French laws," Kuczkiewicz said.
    Le Soir already published on its internet site the results of the first round (April 22) around 1600gmt, before any French media was allowed to do so. Kuczkiewicz said the website received 587 hits. About three quarters of the visitors were French, Kuczkiewicz said.
    Kuczkiewicz said he heard that an official inquiry was underway even though Le Soir had not received official notification yet.
    French law forbids pollsters from releasing vote estimates on election day and the day before.
    French news agency AFP on April 22 distributed the preliminary results of the first round to organisations, newsrooms and journalists subscribing to its services around 1630gmt.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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