France: WPF Denounces Far-Right Smear Campaign Targeting Ivanne Trippenbach

January 11, 2025 - France, La Trinite-sur-Mer

 

Le Monde journalist Ivanne Trippenbach has faced a wave of online abuse, including sexist and anti-Semitic threats, following false accusations that she intruded on the funeral of a far-right leader - Jean-Marie Le Pen. The smear campaign began after journalist Jordan Florentin claimed on CNews that she had “forced her way” into the ceremony—a claim later amplified by a member of the National Rally (RN) in parliament.

On January 13, Le Monde refuted these allegations, clarifying that Trippenbach had been invited inside by the RN press service and left just 15 minutes later. Despite this, she became the target of violent online harassment. RN MP Allegret-Pilot Alexandre further inflamed tensions by posting on X: “Support for Ivanne Trippenbach. I'm just kidding. Let go (‘lâchez-vous’),” a statement widely condemned as an incitement to further abuse.

Women Press Freedom strongly condemns these threats and urges officials to stop enabling cyber harassment. In 2024, French journalists — particularly from minority backgrounds have faced relentless online attacks from the far-right for expressing their views or even for comments made on air. This latest incident highlights the growing risks for women journalists and the urgent need for stronger protections against gendered and racist abuse.

We call for accountability from public figures and social media platforms to prevent further attacks on press freedom and journalist safety.

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