Like a Bad Smell, They Don't Go Away

French Court Loses the Plot (19 January)

This news report in Decanter titled "Wine articles must carry health warning, French court decides" indicates that some of the French judiciary are either going senile or are imbibing too much of their local vino at lunchtime. Those about the only possible rational explanations to explain their latest decision in relation to wine journalism.

A newspaper in Paris wrote an editorial/article titled "The Triumph of Champagne" that focused on the major Champagne houses and made recommendations, prices etc. It's the sort of article we see in the Australian papers all the time. Nothing unusual about it!

The ANPAA which is a French organisation dedicated to the prevention of alcoholism took the newspaper to court claiming it was advertising.

The court found the article was 'intended to promote sales of alcoholic beverages in exercising a psychological effect on the reader that incited him or her to buy alcohol'. As a result it should/must contain the standard French Health Warning "Alcohol abuse is dangerous to your health" and because it did not, the paper was fined €5,000.

It should be stressed that the article was not paid advertising, but now even articles that could be construed as possibly be encouraging people to drink alcohol are at risk of being fined unless they contain the health warning.

The French authorities seems quite happy to let those involved in the growing and wine grapes riot and cause mayhem on a regular basis and do stuff all about it, yet write a civilised article about what is generally regarded as the finest drink in the world today and you can be fined.

What next? Food critics having to place a health warning on restaurant reviews stating that eating too much can cause obesity. Book reviewers having to warn people that reading too much may cause one to require optical glasses. Motor car journalists articles' having to have a warning that driving quickly can kill.

So much for free speech and the pursuit of liberty, equality and fraternity.

Feel free to submit your comments!

	Snippet
Sydney Time Copyright © Ric Einstein 2008	French Court Loses the Plot (19 January) This news report in Decanter titled "Wine articles must carry health warning, French court decides" indicates that some of the French judiciary are either going senile or are imbibing too much of their local vino at lunchtime. Those about the only possible rational explanations to explain their latest decision in relation to wine journalism. A newspaper in Paris wrote an editorial/article titled "The Triumph of Champagne" that focused on the major Champagne houses and made recommendations, prices etc. It's the sort of article we see in the Australian papers all the time. Nothing unusual about it! The ANPAA which is a French organisation dedicated to the prevention of alcoholism took the newspaper to court claiming it was advertising. The court found the article was 'intended to promote sales of alcoholic beverages in exercising a psychological effect on the reader that incited him or her to buy alcohol'. As a result it should/must contain the standard French Health Warning "Alcohol abuse is dangerous to your health" and because it did not, the paper was fined €5,000. It should be stressed that the article was not paid advertising, but now even articles that could be construed as possibly be encouraging people to drink alcohol are at risk of being fined unless they contain the health warning. The French authorities seems quite happy to let those involved in the growing and wine grapes riot and cause mayhem on a regular basis and do stuff all about it, yet write a civilised article about what is generally regarded as the finest drink in the world today and you can be fined. What next? Food critics having to place a health warning on restaurant reviews stating that eating too much can cause obesity. Book reviewers having to warn people that reading too much may cause one to require optical glasses. Motor car journalists articles' having to have a warning that driving quickly can kill. So much for free speech and the pursuit of liberty, equality and fraternity. Feel free to submit your comments! Copyright © Ric Einstein 2008