- An Exclusive Interview for this Web Site -

INTERVIEW with François FILLON
French Minister of Postal Affairs,
Telecommunications and Space

" Internet represents an opportunity for society as it increases the ways we can access knowledge. But we cannot allow a "digital wild West".. We must take time to reflect before regulating how it's used"

QUESTION 1 :

Do you not think that any kind of regulatory control will destroy the Internet ?

François FILLON :

Through the development of a network like the Internet, our society is confronted with the same challenge it once faced with the development of the audiovisual industry. Internet, as all these new technologies, represents an opportunity for society as it increases the ways we can access knowledge. We must learn to live with these technologies and not be afraid of the future they embody. We must, therefore, take time to reflect before regulating how they are used, noting, moreover, that from now on French judges have the necessary competence to deal with almost any crime committed against or using the Internet. Well thought out regulations are not necessarily the enemy of the development of a technology - audiovisual regulations are a good example - but must make it possible to limit abuse. In fact, while there can be no question of challenging the freedom of use of these new networks, we cannot allow a "digital wild West" to develop in which our French laws would hold no sway.

QUESTION 2 :

Can trans-national problems only be resolved by international law?

François FILLON :

It is true that the development of trans-national services on the Internet creates problems for the application of national rules, not only for the protection of minors but also for copyright laws and many others... It is for this reason that I have proposed, as was done for marine law 30 years ago, that France should start an initiative for European and International co-ordination : the services and networks are not limited by borders and the answer must, therefore, take this dimension into account. At my request, this subject will be brought up at the Council of European Ministers of Culture and Telecommunications in Bologne ( Italy) next April. This being so, it does not stop us from reflecting on the subject at a national level. That is the objective of the work group that I decided to set up.

QUESTION 3 :

Is a higher authority for French servers desirable ?

François FILLON :

Before talking about institutions, I think we should know what we want to do. Administrative control regimes have, by definition, a limited effect. Would it not be better to develop the sanctions and control regime after the judge ? I note, moreover, that French service suppliers have acquired maturity and a true sense of responsibility in these domains through the unique experience in the world which the minitel represents. The French Higher Telematics Council, which brings together all involved in the sector, developed a code of conduct which was well accepted and respected by all. The initiative of the French Internet access suppliers, which aims to define a code of conduct, is in a similar vein and I am delighted by it.

QUESTION 4 :

How do you envisage the French work group which will consider these questions ?

François FILLON :

Philippe DOUSTE-BLAZY, the French Minister of Culture and I have decided that Isabelle FALQUE-PIERROTIN, who is a state advisor and is very familiar with cultural affairs, should chair an interministerial work group which will take stock of the current situation, that is to say, analyse the legal problems raised, consider the possible answers and examine the adaptations which are necessary and desirable at a national and international level. This work group, which will bring together the departments concerned, will consult all the interested economic parties involved, notably suppliers of on-line services and Internet access, but also legal experts. The objective will be to submit a report to us three months from now which will contribute to national and international consideration on the issue.

© Secretary of State for industry - France