A website registered in Malaysia has recently surfaced, using the name of Luxembourg journalist Véronique Poujol of reporter.lu to publish a series of extremely serious allegations.
The site claims, among other things, that Poujol accepted money to write negative articles about certain people or companies. Poujol rejects these accusations outright and has filed a criminal complaint for defamation and slander.
Poujol described the claims as completely fabricated and lacking any basis in fact. She acknowledges that this is not the first time opposition surfaced during her career, but states she has never before experienced such an aggressive and personal attack.
The most egregious accusation, she says, is that she allegedly accepted payment to write damaging articles about her 'clients'' adversaries.
The website cites only anonymous sources to support its claims.
Her lawyer, Pierre Hurt, explained that these anonymous allegations have no legal merit, but do constitute a clear offence under criminal law, as they amount to reputational harm through the dissemination of false statements.
He emphasised that there are numerous allegations on the website that are entirely untrue, regardless of their specific content.
As a result, Poujol and her lawyer have filed a complaint against persons unknown. However, the website’s registration in Malaysia is expected to complicate efforts to identify those responsible.
Hurt pointed out that tracking down the perpetrator will likely prove "extremely difficult".
The Luxembourg Association of Professional Journalists (ALJP) has expressed its support for Véronique Poujol. ALJP president Sidney Wiltgen highlighted the gravity of the case, noting that although Poujol has experienced opposition before, the current situation is unprecedented in its intensity.
Wiltgen also said that the use of Poujol’s photo, full name, and career details in such a public attack marks a new level of severity, and he is unaware of any previous case of this scale.
Whether a formal investigation will be launched now rests with the public prosecutor.
The ALJP had already shared a message of solidarity with Véronique Poujol on its Facebook page on Sunday.
