World News for Students of English

14-01-2026 07:00

A French writer, Bertrand Scholler, has been found guilty of cyberbullying the French president’s wife. He shared an edited photo online that mocked her body and spread false ideas about her gender and private life.

A Paris court heard that these online posts caused serious harm to the president’s wife and her family. Her daughter spoke in court and described fear, stress, and shame. The false stories spread widely on social media and became harder to stop. The court decided that this behavior was bullying, not free speech or humor. The court gave Scholler a six-month suspended sentence. He was one of ten people found guilty in the same case, and he later said that he didn’t regret his actions.

The case started a wider debate in France about online behavior and responsibility. Some people worry about limits on free speech; however, others say the ruling protects people from harm. The president’s wife said she wants to show young people that it is right to stand up against bullying.

Difficult words: cyberbullying (using the internet to hurt or attack someone), mock (to laugh at someone in a mean way), ruling (an official decision made by a court).

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