2026 European Media Lawyers Conference Paris June 16

Continuing MLRC’s series of annual meetings in Europe, we invite you to join us in Paris for a full day of discussion and networking. The conference brings together media lawyers from Europe and the United States to discuss comparative media law, strategies to defend freedom of expression, and ways to strengthen the media lawyer community.

Registration

General registration is 150 Euros. Register online here.

Discounted registration of 130 Euros is available to Members of the Association of Practising Press Law Lawyers (who are up to date with their 2026 membership fees). Register online here.

To pay by bank transfer: email jseiden@medialaw.org

Registration includes light breakfast, lunch and after conference reception on June 16.

Panel discussions are mostly in English. Live translation via Microsoft Teams will provide real-time translated captions for presentations.

Program

9:00 Arrival and Check-in at Dentons

9:30am Welcome & Introductions

9:45-10:45
President and Brigitte Macron v. Owens: Cyberbullying or Free Speech?
How will the Macrons’ defamation case against online commenter Candace Owens be litigated in the United States? Will the actual malice standard protect false statements made about the President and his wife? What to expect if the case goes to trial? How does the American case compare to proceedings in France? What are the legal boundaries for criticizing public officials?
With Tom Clare, Clare Locke (the Macrons’ lawyer in the US) and Marie Edelstenne, August Debouzy (Paris)

11:00-12:00
US v. Europe: Free Speech and Social Media Platforms
Vice President Vance has criticized Europe for curtailing free speech. Is he right? Is the criticism of European social media regulation well-founded or “pure bullshit” as claimed by President Macron?
With Jean-Frederic Gaultier, Taliens (Paris); Karim Beylouni, BG2V (Paris)(outside counsel for X); Mrs Pecaut Rivolier, ARCOM, Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communications; Dave Heller, MLRC (New York); Basile Ader, August Debouzy (Paris)

Lunch – and after lunch Q&A about Trump, the media, and democracy

1:30-2:30
AI & Copyright Law
Leading IP lawyers will discuss emerging law and regulation surrounding the use or misuse of media content to develop AI and the differing fair use / fair dealing rules in Europe and the US.
With Mark O’Shaughnessy, Dentons (Dublin); Dr. Aron Heidtke, Raue (Berlin); Jens van den Brink, Kennedy Van der Laan (Amsterdam); Charles-Edouard Renault, De Gaulle Fleurance (Paris)

2:45-3:45
Charlie Hebdo 11 Years Later
Journalists and lawyers will discuss the legacy of the attack on the magazine, the impact on cartoonists and political commentary, and the regulation of hate speech in France and Europe.
With Richard Malka (Charlie Hebdo’s lawyer); Ilana Soskin, Soskin Avocats (former Chair of LICRA Legal Committee, the international league against racism and antisemitism); Adam Cannon, Publisher of The Jewish Chronicle (London). Moderator: Dave Heller, MLRC

4:00-5:00
Creation vs Information: What is the Scope of Protection for Documentaries/Biopics?
Lawyers from different jurisdictions will discuss copyright, defamation, and privacy issues in lawsuits over docudramas and biopics. What are the risks and fair use protections for using copyrighted content? What legal issues arise in docudramas based on real people and events?
With Clara Steinitz, Taliens (Paris); Alexia Bedat, Klaris Law (New York); Robert Golz, Härting (Berlin); Matthew Dando, Wiggin (London)

Reception 5-6pm

Location

This year’s conference is hosted by Dentons Paris, near Pl. de la Madeleine