Les Surligneurs

Les Surligneurs invented legal-checking: verifying that the statements made by public figures, such as politicians, comply with the law. The team also aims to develop legal culture within French society and provide the legal literacy necessary to understand and analyse political speeches so the public can protect their rights and freedoms.

Les Surligneurs intends to enable academics to comment on the statements made by public figures. In sum, its contributions aim to clarify, refine, enlighten, and sometimes contradict a legal statement.

The organisation is a general and political information media outlet supported by the public law research centre Versailles Institutions Publiques (VIP). Launched in January 2017, the organisation is the result of two observations: first, the sharing, whether voluntary or not, of shortfalls or even legal mistakes by public figures weakens the quality of democratic debate, and the increase of fact-checking organisations does not help to stem this trend; secondly, legal researchers are not well represented in the public discussions.

Les Surligneurs is also involved in creating various projects aimed at combating disinformation, notably through tools powered by artificial intelligence in the service of democracy. They collaborate with numerous organizations, media outlets, and universities across France and Europe to foster a shared vision in the fight against disinformation.

Finally, Les Surligneurs is part of the legal design movement created at Stanford University by Margaret Hagan, which supports the dissemination of legal culture among citizens. The organisation is a member of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network and has also been a signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network (JFCN) Charter of Principles since July 2021, and participates in the Journalism Trust Initiative.