Constitutional Council examines legislation and decides whether it conforms to the
constitution. It considers only legislation that is referred to it by parliament, the prime
minister, or the president. 10
If upon examination basic rights are found to be in conflict with each other, the
Constitutional Council maintains a balance between freedom of speech and such principles as maintaining law and order, proper administration of justice, and protection
of individuals. French law prohibits public speech and writings that incite racial and
religious hatred or hatred against people because of their sexual orientation. 11 In addition, amendments have been made to France’s 1881 Press Law prohibiting denial of
the Holocaust and the Armenian genocide. 12 Those who violate the law face imprisonment and/or a fine of up to EUR 45,000. 13
Internet in France
The number of Internet users in France increased dramatically from 8.5 million users in
2000 14 to almost 32 million in 2007, with a 51.2 percent Internet penetration rate. 15
Since 2000, France has adopted Internet technology at a furious pace and has had
some of the fastest growth rates for Internet usage, PC shipments, and overall information technology spending by businesses, consumers, government, and education
throughout Europe. 16 Although global Internet adoption and PC sales have shown
some signs of slowing in recent years, France still witnessed significant yearly gains
in Internet adoption: in 2005, over 60 percent of adults age 18 or older in France
used the Internet regularly, representing more than a 12-point increase from 2004
(when the figure was 48 percent). 17 In addition, the usage of VoIP telephony has risen
steadily in recent years, and wireless Internet access by handset/cell phone is expected
to continue to grow. 18
Although the French ISP market has begun to expand since privatization, the market
leader remains France Telecom, a publicly traded company that is the main communication access provider in France. 19 Because of the well-developed information and
communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, home access is affordable to most of
the French population at competitive costs. Since high-speed Internet services were
implemented in France in 2001, access has increased significantly, with more than
one in five residents having access to high-speed Internet. 20 Public libraries and Internet cafe ´s, prevalent throughout the country, also provide high-speed Internet access.
Studies have shown that, in comparison with other European Internet users, the
French spend a considerable amount of time online. A recent ComScore study revealed
that French Internet users spent 932 million hours online in February 2009, averaging
approximately 27 hours per person. 21 According to one report, the most popular online activities of French Internet users include social networking, watching television,
shopping, blogging, and checking the news.
France
299
constitution. It considers only legislation that is referred to it by parliament, the prime
minister, or the president. 10
If upon examination basic rights are found to be in conflict with each other, the
Constitutional Council maintains a balance between freedom of speech and such principles as maintaining law and order, proper administration of justice, and protection
of individuals. French law prohibits public speech and writings that incite racial and
religious hatred or hatred against people because of their sexual orientation. 11 In addition, amendments have been made to France’s 1881 Press Law prohibiting denial of
the Holocaust and the Armenian genocide. 12 Those who violate the law face imprisonment and/or a fine of up to EUR 45,000. 13
Internet in France
The number of Internet users in France increased dramatically from 8.5 million users in
2000 14 to almost 32 million in 2007, with a 51.2 percent Internet penetration rate. 15
Since 2000, France has adopted Internet technology at a furious pace and has had
some of the fastest growth rates for Internet usage, PC shipments, and overall information technology spending by businesses, consumers, government, and education
throughout Europe. 16 Although global Internet adoption and PC sales have shown
some signs of slowing in recent years, France still witnessed significant yearly gains
in Internet adoption: in 2005, over 60 percent of adults age 18 or older in France
used the Internet regularly, representing more than a 12-point increase from 2004
(when the figure was 48 percent). 17 In addition, the usage of VoIP telephony has risen
steadily in recent years, and wireless Internet access by handset/cell phone is expected
to continue to grow. 18
Although the French ISP market has begun to expand since privatization, the market
leader remains France Telecom, a publicly traded company that is the main communication access provider in France. 19 Because of the well-developed information and
communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, home access is affordable to most of
the French population at competitive costs. Since high-speed Internet services were
implemented in France in 2001, access has increased significantly, with more than
one in five residents having access to high-speed Internet. 20 Public libraries and Internet cafe ´s, prevalent throughout the country, also provide high-speed Internet access.
Studies have shown that, in comparison with other European Internet users, the
French spend a considerable amount of time online. A recent ComScore study revealed
that French Internet users spent 932 million hours online in February 2009, averaging
approximately 27 hours per person. 21 According to one report, the most popular online activities of French Internet users include social networking, watching television,
shopping, blogging, and checking the news.
France
299