Just a few months ago, French president Nicolas Sarkozy was chastising France 24 - broadcasting in French, English and Arabic - for not being competitive enough with other 24-hour news services such as BBC and CNN. Apparently, he's had a change of heart.
In order to "give the world a French perspective," Sarkozy has decided to stop all international broadcasting by French television in any language other than French. Monty Python couldn't have made this up, my husband noted. Read more of the logic-defying decision here.
INCROYABLE! This guy is so full of himself.
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 17 January 2008 at 14:40
interesting approach there!
Posted by: designdna | 16 January 2008 at 02:51
sarkozy has just started, remember? there will be some more surprises in the future, coming out of his sleeves...
Posted by: marita | 15 January 2008 at 21:12
this is so odd! last night, my husband and i asked each other who the french president is now. we both shrugged our shoulders in ignorance. i said maybe Chirac? he's even worse, he (facetiously) said Mitterand. now we know, thanks to you. it's amazing how some things are just a click away. i didn't even have to try and "google it".
Posted by: jen laceda | 15 January 2008 at 18:19
huh? another crazy leader, only in the states we're use to dealing with crazy leader! so did he get the girlfriend pregnant or not? did they get married?
Posted by: Apt.A {berriehead} | 15 January 2008 at 17:23
In the words of Homer Simpson - Duh!
Posted by: Di Overton | 15 January 2008 at 17:13
And he has the right, power and authority to do this? That sounds rather dictatorial. How do these men get elected? Surely someone will present a legal challenge to this.
Posted by: RD | 15 January 2008 at 14:41
Meaning coming IN to France? Or both? So you can't watch BBC or CNN now? What the heck?
:)
Tara responds:
No, Sarkozy won't allow French television to broadcast the news worldwide in any language other than French - even though he says he wants the world to hear the "French perspective." It seems it's of no consequence to him that much of the world doesn't speak French and will not, therefore, hear the "French perspective." BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, etc. continue to broadcast in English, when reporting from France.
Posted by: Amber | 15 January 2008 at 05:19
What is he thinking? I know, about his new girlfriend not France.
Glad you are back posting again!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | 15 January 2008 at 02:59
Hi Tara I am just back from holiday. The French are getting a very extreme now. In the holiday I talked to a few young man from Paris and complimented them on their english. They said that it wasn't an advantage back home because everybody asked them to translate because not many people speak english properly.
Posted by: marja | 15 January 2008 at 01:27
Welcome back! I hope you and your computer will be doing well in the very near future.
As for Sarkozy, all I can say is that it is rather comforting to note that we are not the only ones with a nutcase at the helm!! What is happening to our world??
Posted by: jzr | 15 January 2008 at 00:59
Good to see you back blogging after your enforced retreat. Happy writing and reading.
Posted by: chiefbiscuit | 15 January 2008 at 00:44