FranceMise en situation n° 14 · Principles and values of the Republic
A newspaper publishes a cartoon that mocks a religion. Hamid is shocked. He wants to have the newspaper convicted of blasphemy. What does French law say?
In the exam (French)
Un journal publie un dessin qui se moque d'une religion. Hamid est choqué. Il veut faire condamner le journal pour blasphème. Que dit la loi française ?
- aThe cartoonist will have to apologise to the religious leaders.Le dessinateur devra s'excuser devant les responsables religieux.
- bThe cartoon is allowed only if it targets all religions.Le dessin est permis seulement s'il vise toutes les religions.
- cThe newspaper will be closed down, because mocking a religion is forbidden.Le journal sera fermé, car se moquer d'une religion est interdit.
- dBlasphemy is not punished: you can criticise a religion.Le blasphème n'est pas puni : on peut critiquer une religion.Correct answer
Why?
In France, freedom of expression allows people to criticise or caricature a religion: blasphemy is not an offence. Hamid can express his disagreement publicly. However, insulting people or calling for hatred against them because of their religion is forbidden.
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in French, as shown above.
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Take a free mock examMise en situation n° 15
On a social network, Grégoire posts insults against his neighbours because of their religion. What does he risk?Correct answer:Prosecution, because insults linked to religion are an offence.
Sur un réseau social, Grégoire publie des insultes contre ses voisins à cause de leur religion. Que risque-t-il ? — Des poursuites, car l'injure liée à la religion est un délit.
Mise en situation n° 16
After an argument, Olga writes on Facebook that her former boss steals the company’s money. She has no proof. Is this allowed?Correct answer:No, a public accusation without proof can be defamation.
Après une dispute, Olga écrit sur Facebook que son ancien patron vole l'argent de l'entreprise. Elle n'a aucune preuve. Est-ce permis ? — Non, une accusation publique sans preuve peut être une diffamation.
Mise en situation n° 17
During a rally, a man shouts into the microphone that people of a certain origin should be attacked. What does the law say?Correct answer:Calling for violence or hatred against a group is an offence.
Pendant un rassemblement, un homme crie au micro qu'il faut attaquer les personnes d'une certaine origine. Que dit la loi ? — Appeler à la violence ou à la haine contre un groupe est un délit.
Mise en situation n° 18
Beatriz, who is Brazilian, disagrees with a decision of the government. She wants to publish a text in the local newspaper criticising it. Can she do so?Correct answer:Yes, everyone can criticise the government, without insulting or defaming anyone.
Beatriz, de nationalité brésilienne, n'est pas d'accord avec une décision du gouvernement. Elle veut publier un texte dans le journal local pour la critiquer. Peut-elle le faire ? — Oui, chacun peut critiquer le gouvernement, sans insulter ni diffamer.
Source
Knowledge questions: Ministry of the Interior (DIAN), official lists of knowledge questions CSP and CR, formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr, Licence Ouverte 2.0, read on 21 October 2026; the official list for naturalisation, immigration.interieur.gouv.fr (DGEF), Licence Ouverte 2.0, read on 25 October 2026. The answer options, the explanations, the situations and the English translation are ours, written with AI; in the exam the questions are in French. This is not a ministry service.
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