French diplomats try to counter riot coverage

AFP ^ | 11/14/05 | AFP

[Pikamax]

French diplomats try to counter riot coverage

PARIS, Nov 14 (AFP) - French diplomats have been asked to step up their contacts with the foreign media to counter the harm done to France's image by weeks of front-page coverage of riots in its suburbs, foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said on Monday.

"It is true there is an image problem," Douste-Blazy told Europe 1 radio, saying that "all ambassadors have been asked to be present on the airwaves, in newspapers and on television in their countries."

Sensationalist coverage of the violence in some foreign media -- with headlines such as 'France on fire' -- has raised fears of a knock-on effect on tourism and foreign investment.

Some foreign coverage gave the impression that unrest had engulfed the country, when in reality the car-burnings and arson have been confined to certain out-of-town estates, French officials say.

Diplomats need to "explain what policies we are carrying out... and the problems linked to integration, which are not specific to France, but are common to many countries", Douste-Blazy said.

Government spokesman Jean-François Copé was to meet later on Monday with foreign reporters in Paris to brief them on the situation.

The French cabinet on Monday approved a three-month extension of emergency police powers to subdue the wave of suburban unrest, described as the worst rioting to hit France since the student uprising of May 1968.

More than 8,000 cars have been burned, scores of buildings wrecked and dozens of policemen hurt in attacks carried out mainly by Arab and African youths.

Since the start of the unrest 2,764 arrests have been made and 375 people have been sent to prison.

[ThanhPhero]

An IMAGE problem ?

[Republican Red]

French diplomats have been asked to step up their contacts with the foreign media to counter the harm done to France's image

I just watched Brit Hume's show and he played a Saturday Night Live skit about Chirac and the French government surrendering to the black children beating them with baguettes.

I'm no fan of SNL anymore but it was pretty funny.

I think the French lost the image battle way back.

[Kristopher]

http://www.eursoc.com/

you mean like this map.?

sorry not know how to send picture,maybe someone can do it for me ?
K.

[gondramB]

"An IMAGE problem ?"

Well sure, that's easier than actually controlling the riots.

[Texas_Jarhead]

[Brilliant]

It's interesting that they give this job to the diplomats. They sure have an inflated image of what diplomats can do.

[Sam Gamgee]

How about worrying less about image and more about your own people who are scared shitless to go out onto the streets? Typical French. It didn’t matter that they surrendered like the cheese eaters they were to Hitler – but that De Gaulle was given the photo op as the liberator of the French people

[river rat]

Ah the French....
Deny the riot, deny their impotence, deny their surrender...

France will fall to the militant barbarians in the midst --- no doubt about it, if the French continue is this denial of the threat.

Semper Fi

[freedumb2003]

Is this from the Onion?

I mean really. They want to spin what is in plain sight?

Best LOL I have had in a week.

[Uncledave]

Diplomats need to "explain what policies we are carrying out... and the problems linked to integration, which are not specific to France, but are common to many countries", Douste-Blazy said.

Jeez, nice try there. "Come visit France. The problems we have are not specific to us."

[Walkingfeather]

That is what i was thinking... It is easier for them to deal with peoples perception rather than reality.

[backhoe]

Is Paris Burning? ( Religion of Peace® Alert )
Click the picture:

Islam, The Alleged Religion of Peace® ( TARP™ )? Click this picture:

No, I am not exaggerating. Click the pic, go to "last," and read backwards.
If you are not informed about this stuff, you will be made sick. If you are informed, you will be made mad, all over again.

---

Then, correlate with some of our own problems:

For "Thunder on the Border," click the picture:

---

Note tagline...

[DJ Taylor]

"Anyone recall "A Clockwork Orange?"

Yes, I still remember it, but I still don't understand what the movie's message was. That is, if it had one.

[i.l.e.]

Telling Diplomats to reformat the news and repackage the truth is ignoring real time internet reportage. When will the french oligarchy learn that they are out numbered, out witted and surrounded by camera clickers who can upload the facts for all to see.

[GregoTX]

So they dont address the problem, they just choose to do a little media spin. Very French. No wonder it is John Kerrys favorite country.

[melt]

"Arab and African youths."

Note the absence of the word "Muslim" throughout the whole article. We wouldn't want to hurt their feelings, now would we?

[Political Junkie Too]

Some foreign coverage gave the impression that unrest had engulfed the country, when in reality the car-burnings and arson have been confined to certain out-of-town estates, French officials say... More than 8,000 cars have been burned, scores of buildings wrecked and dozens of policemen hurt in attacks carried out mainly by Arab and African youths.

That must be some estate.

-PJ

[Prime Choice]

French diplomats have been asked to step up their contacts with the foreign media to counter the harm done to France's image by weeks of front-page coverage of riots in its suburbs, foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said on Monday.

Oui-oui! Please advise the Ah-mir-ee-khanz zat wee haf zee prrroblem under control! Zerr ees no problem herrre!

[backhoe]

Yes, I still remember it, but I still don't understand what the movie's message was. That is, if it had one.

Been so many years... the main theme was anarchy, but there was a nasty twist-- the "hero" was caught, and conditioned against violence- making him helpless, as I recall.

( Trying another tagline... )