Presented as a solution to "happy slapping," which involves physically attacking someone to generate a reaction and take a video, the law aims to protect France's youth but the wording of the law is broad enough to have some civil liberties groups concerned.

Only “professional journalists” will be able to videotape and broadcast acts of violence. One is considered a professional journalist if it is part of a citizen’s "normal exercise of a profession... to inform the public."  According to the new law, repercussions for citizen journalists include up to five years in prison and fines of €75,000 for disseminating images of the acts.

Ironically, the law was passed on the anniversary of the Los Angeles police beatings of Rodney King which were videotaped by a citizen on the street in 1991.  In France today, such a video could land a vlogger in jail.

France Bans Citizen Journalists From Reporting Violence 

France: Citizen Journalism Under Attack