Leading French newspapers including Le Monde, Le Figaro, and Le Parisien announced Tuesday they are taking legal action against social media platform X for allegedly distributing their content without compensation.
The publications claim X, formerly Twitter, has refused to open negotiations over ancillary rights payments, which require digital platforms to compensate news outlets for sharing their content. Unlike competitors Google and Meta Platforms, X has never engaged in such discussions, the newspapers said.
“The revenue from these rights, with the investment that it would enable its beneficiaries to make, is a boost to the plurality, independence and quality of the media, which are essential for freedom of expression and the right to information in our democratic society,” the newspapers said in a joint statement.
The newspapers also allege that X, owned by Elon Musk, has failed to comply with a Paris Court of Justice order from May requiring the platform to release information necessary for calculating owed payments.
A Paris tribunal spokesperson confirmed the case will be heard on May 15, 2025. Representatives for X did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
REUTERS
