In what can only be described as one of the dumbest network broadcasting rules we have ever heard, officials in France this week banned the words “Facebook” and “Twitter” from the television.
Under the strange law newscasters may only refer to both social networks if the networks themselves make the news, while they can not use the words to describe their own business pages. For example a newscaster is forbidden from saying “make sure to follow us on our Facebook fan page” and they can’t tell users to “follow us on Twitter for more breaking news.”
The french have a long history of absurd micro-meddling rules and regulations while promoting their country as a carefree place to live and travel, in this case the absurdity of the law was set forth by a regulatory decree which cites article 9 of a law which was enacted back on March 27, 1992, way before Facebook, Twitter or the words “social media” became the biggest media buzz since the actual internet.
It’s still unclear as to why the french would pass such a ridiculous law, perhaps lawmakers simply don’t realize the impact Facebook and Twitter among other social networks have on a businesses bottom line.
Next thing you know french news broadcasters won’t be able to say “follow us” in any form.
In other news, be sure to follow us on our Facebook Page and then find more breaking social news on our Twitter Page.
58 Comments