Press- its illegal to print bad stuff in luxembourg... what about other countries?

[Layla1971]

Originally Posted by gaggleofcrazypeople

They actually did have something written up, I've seen it before. Paparazzi were supposed to stay away until they stopped going to school.

Yeah, but that doesn't mean that they would withhold genuine info if it was relevant to the country.
When the heir and his siblings are young there isn't much chance of them being involved in a scandal. As they become adults what they do becomes of importance to their people, and the media wouldn't accept bans on their freedom of speech.

[Layla1971]

Ok, I just found a copy of the Luxembourgish Constitution and Article 24 [Expression] guarantees these rights for ALL Luxembourgers:

Article 24 [Expression]
Freedom of speech in all matters and freedom of the press is guaranteed, subject to the repression of offenses committed in the exercise of these freedoms. No censorship may ever be introduced. Security may not be demanded of writers, publishers, or printers. Stamp duty on native journals and periodicals is hereby abolished. No publisher, printer, or distributor may be prosecuted if the author is known, if he is a Luxembourger, and resident in the Grand Duchy.

All exceptions to these laws must be out of respect for the Grand Ducal Family or because the stories that would be written are false.

[gaggleofcrazypeople]

Hmmm...interesting. So why is nothing bad said about them?

[suturegeisha]

Originally Posted by gaggleofcrazypeople

Hmmm...interesting. So why is nothing bad said about them?

There might not be anything bad to say.....

[lisamaria]

Originally Posted by suturegeisha

There might not be anything bad to say.....

Bad is, I think, very much a relative thing. As is anything. For example, last weekend we had our office's Christmas party and afterwards, this girl I have known for about two months came over to my place to spend the night. She told me not only about her life, but details about other colleague's lives too, their struggles with ill health, depression and so on. It was, for me at least, a very intimate conversation - far less so, if she had told our boss had had an affair with someone. So, what is bad in someone's mind, might not be bad in someone else's.

Enough of that. I feel one must always remember that despite of the public role (justification of their existence, if you wish), the royals too are people, and should be treated accordingly. There have been rumours about MT having a drinking problem, and though it is in no way uncommon, it might be on the wrong side of the intimate to have it discussed publicly. And I don't think I'm making much sense... :o

-Lisa

[Layla1971]

Originally Posted by lisamaria

Bad is, I think, very much a relative thing. As is anything. For example, last weekend we had our office's Christmas party and afterwards, this girl I have known for about two months came over to my place to spend the night. She told me not only about her life, but details about other colleague's lives too, their struggles with ill health, depression and so on. It was, for me at least, a very intimate conversation - far less so, if she had told our boss had had an affair with someone. So, what is bad in someone's mind, might not be bad in someone else's.

Enough of that. I feel one must always remember that despite of the public role (justification of their existence, if you wish), the royals too are people, and should be treated accordingly. There have been rumours about MT having a drinking problem, and though it is in no way uncommon, it might be on the wrong side of the intimate to have it discussed publicly. And I don't think I'm making much sense... :o

-Lisa

No, I think I understand what you meant.
That, some stories are okay to talk about because they aren't too personal or outside of the public eye but other stories, such as this alleged alcoholism, are off-limits out of respect for a person's privacy.

I must agree that just because a person is royal, doesn't mean that they don't have the same human rights to privacy and respect as any of us.

[gaggleofcrazypeople]

I've never heard that MT was a drinker. I know she is a smoker, though.

[Layla1971]

Originally Posted by gaggleofcrazypeople

I've never heard that MT was a drinker. I know she is a smoker, though.

I don't know, I was just saying in general stories such as that may not be printed by these papers out of respect for the family.

[BeatrixFan]

Yes, but that Article is almost replaced by another which says that the Grand Duke is inviolable.

[Layla1971]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

Yes, but that Article is almost replaced by another which says that the Grand Duke is inviolable.

The oath that the new Grand Duke takes is "I swear to observe the Constitution and the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, to maintain the national independence and integrity of the territory, as well as public and individual liberties." Highlighting "public and individual liberties"
And, any Articles must be changed with the approval of the government, they can't be changed just because the GD wants them to be.

And, I know, you said "almost".

[BeatrixFan]

Well yes - but the point I'm making is, by law he is above criticism - so the Press can't print bad things about him.

[Layla1971]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

Well yes - but the point I'm making is, by law he is above criticism - so the Press can't print bad things about him.

No mortal is above critisism, but you already know how I feel about that!

[BeatrixFan]

According to the Luxembourgish Constitution - one mortal is above criticism. The Grand Duke.

[Layla1971]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

According to the Luxembourgish Constitution - one mortal is above criticism. The Grand Duke.

Yes, and while I must respect the law, there isn't anything that says that I must agree with it. You know that I can't agree with that.

[BeatrixFan]

I know darling. I wasn't trying to change your opinion or anything - just pointing out the law.

[Layla1971]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

I know darling. I wasn't trying to change your opinion or anything - just pointing out the law.

And I respect your dedication to it!:)

[gaggleofcrazypeople]

So if Henri was to commit any sort of crime, would he get in trouble?

[Layla1971]

Originally Posted by gaggleofcrazypeople

So if Henri was to commit any sort of crime, would he get in trouble?

Well, Article 11 (Basic rights) says this:
(2) Luxembourgers are equal before the law; they alone are eligible for civil and military service, save as the law may in particular cases otherwise provide.

And, Article 14 says:
No penalty may be fixed or applied except in pursuance of the law.

From what I've read the Grand Duke represents and is somwhat separate or "above" the law, but he is also bound by it as a citizen of Luxembourg.

I don't think that there's a precedent for this hypothetical situation.

[gaggleofcrazypeople]

I didn't think so either.