Emmanuel Macron is clearly determined to continue his attacks on civil liberties. The first salvo came with the so-called “anti-hooliganism” law, in a grave move that will impose enormous limits on the right to demonstrate. The second salvo now appearing on the horizon could pose a serious challenge to the freedom of the press in France.

This threat is all the more serious considering the fact that a small handful of billionaires have already gobbled up most of the media over the last few years, trashing its independence. And since the beginning of Macron’s spell in office there have already been a series of laws dealing a death blow to our liberties, and which represent so many challenges to citizens’ right to information.

There have been several recent indicators of Macron’s desire to put the press under control. The latest one — the attempted raid on Mediapart’s office last Monday, as part of an inquiry including (in particular) claims of media intrusion into the private life of Alexandre Benalla [Macron’s former bodyguard, filmed illegally dressed as a policeman as he beat protesters], is not the least worrying.