RSF accuses members of Annecy’s municipal circle following mass purchases of newspapers

Annecy – 20/07/2026: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the weekly newspaper L’Essor Savoyard accuse members of Annecy’s municipal circle of having bought numerous copies of an edition of the newspaper in early June. The edition reported on allegations against the first deputy mayor, Anthony Granger. The organization considers this an attempt to remove information of public interest from the public sphere.

According to investigations by RSF and the newspaper, unusually large quantities of the weekly were purchased at several sales outlets on 4 June. Retailers described purchases of several dozen copies. At one supermarket, 146 copies were reportedly bought at once. L’Essor Savoyard, whose usual circulation is around 2,000 copies, had to print additional copies, according to its own account.

RSF explains that the joint investigation compared statements from sales outlets and visual material. Several buyers directly linked to the town hall were identified in the process. Among them is Myriam Clerc, special adviser to the mayor and former associate of Antoine Armand. According to the information, she did not respond to a request from RSF and the newspaper to comment on the allegation.

An unidentified member of the municipal majority told the investigation partners that some elected officials had been asked to buy the newspaper. The action was reportedly decided during a period of tension. RSF describes the procedure as a crude and poorly prepared intervention against the dissemination of journalistic information. The organization demands a full clarification of the facts.

Mayor Antoine Armand denies having given any instruction or organized a coordinated action. His statement concerns the allegation of bulk purchases, not the ongoing judicial proceedings. Annecy town hall is therefore under pressure to transparently explain the actions of its political circle in response to the media coverage.

The original report focuses on a complaint alleging rape against Anthony Granger. According to previously published information, the complaint was filed on 25 April 2026; the Annecy public prosecutor’s office opened a preliminary investigation. The alleged events reportedly date back to 2023. Granger denies having committed any criminal conduct. Until a judicial decision is made, he is presumed innocent.

The case thus links two distinct issues: the criminal allegations against an elected representative and the handling of press coverage about them. RSF and L’Essor Savoyard demand clarification regarding the newspaper purchases. The courts alone have jurisdiction over the criminal allegations; so far, there has been no judgment or definitive assessment of the allegations.