Sandra Muller, the initiator of #BalanceTonPorc, and Francis Szpiner, her lawyer. (archives) – Thibault Camus / AP / SIPA
The condemnation of the journalist and initiator of the movement #balancetonpork was overturned Wednesday on appeal, the man who sued her for defamation was dismissed, said the Paris Court of Appeal in a decision by his lawyers.
At first instance, Sandra Muller was sentenced in September 2019 to pay 15,000 euros in damages to Eric Brion, whom she had accused of sexual harassment.
A “courageous and historic” decision
“Even though Eric Brion may have suffered from being the first man denounced under the #balancetonpork, the benefit of good faith must be recognized to Sandra Muller, ”the Court said. “It is obviously a huge relief for Sandra Muller and for us after a long and difficult legal fight,” said the journalist’s lawyer, Me Jade Dousselon.
The lawyer praised a “courageous and historic” decision. “The Court of Appeal said to the victims, to all those who spoke, to all those who spoke the truth: ‘those there, justice will not condemn them'”, added Me Dousselin. On October 13, 2017, Sandra Muller wrote in a tweet: “ #balancetonpork !! you also tell by giving the name and the details a sexual harass (sic) that you knew in your job. I’m waiting for you “.
“My life has been totally shattered”
Four hours later, she published another message on the social network: “” You have big breasts. You are my type of woman. I will make you cum all night long “Eric Brion ex boss of Equidia #balancetonpork “. Using this keyword or its equivalent in English #Metoo (#Me too), following the Weinstein scandal, thousands of women spoke out to denounce harassment or sexual assault.
“From the publication of this tweet, my life was totally shattered,” Eric Brion, consultant and former managing director of the Equidia television channel, said during the trial at first instance. Eric Brion had admitted to having had inappropriate words during a party in Cannes in 2012, claiming to have apologized the next day by text message, which Sandra Muller has always refuted.