The United States has decided to sanction five European figures advocating for stricter regulation in the technology sector. Among them is the former European Commissioner for the Internal Market and Services, Thierry Breton. He has been banned from entering the country. The State Department justified the measures by stating that the actions of these individuals amount to "censorship" and are harmful to American interests.
Breton, indicated in the Commission by French President Emmanuel Macron, resigned on September 16, 2024, announcing the decision with a letter published on X after some conflicts with President Ursula von der Leyen. As European Commissioner, he had identified 6 "gatekeeper" companies (from Amazon to Apple and Meta, 5 American and one Chinese) emphasizing that they must adhere to the new EU digital market rules: none of them could claim to be "too big to comply," Breton had said.
In a note from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, it reads that "the State Department is taking decisive action against five individuals who have led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize, and suppress American viewpoints contrary to their own. These radical activists and instrumentalized NGOs have promoted censorship repression by foreign states, in each case targeting American speakers and companies." Therefore, Rubio continues, "I have determined that their entry, presence, or activities in the United States have potentially serious negative consequences for U.S. foreign policy." Rubio's note concludes by emphasizing that, "President Trump has made it clear that his 'America First' foreign policy rejects violations of American sovereignty. The extraterritorial interference of foreign censors targeting American free speech is no exception. The State Department is prepared to expand today's list if other foreign actors do not change course."
In July 1938, the Venice Mostra, the first international competition dedicated to the film world, saw the major pre-war film-producing countries gather together for the sixth time. France was represented with a series of films, and on the jury by the diplomat Philippe Erlanger.
On the day of the Awards ceremony, the jury was unanimous. An American film had captured their hearts, but under pressure from Hitler the Nazi propaganda film Olympia by Leni Riefenstahl and the Italian film Luciano Serra, Pilot by Goffredo Alessandrini reaped the ultimate accolade, named the Mussolini Cup. The decision provoked outrage among the members representing democratic countries and France, the United States and Great Britain left the Mostra, vowing not to return.
During his train journey back to France, Philippe Erlanger, thought of setting up an event to replace the Mostra and offer the world a festival that was free of pressure and constraints. On his return, he contacted the authorities. There was no time to waste – a rival French festival was required before the next Venice competition came around.