Three years ago, French President, Jacques Chirac openly mulled the idea of an international French news station, to cover world events from a uniquely French perspective. After years on wrangling the French government’s wishes have finally come true. In a move that would surely make Josef Goebbles proud, the new network known as the French International News Network (CFII), will be an arm of the French government thereby ensuring “impartiality. According to government officials, the network should begin broadcast next year beaming the message of surrender, appeasement, socialism and stagnation to Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Fortunately Asia and America have be spared this latest French export for the time being. Chirac has made no secret of the fact that he wishes this channel to serve as a subjective pro-French media outlet to advance French interests. Chirac noted that France “must be at the forefront of the global battle of images, that’s why I am resolved that our country should have an international news channel”. Like CNN and Fox News, this channel will broadcast “news” 24 hrs a day 7 days a week and will be owned by the French government and the TF1 commercial television network. According to a government spokesman, “the aim is to bring France’s values and its vision of the world to everywhere in the world.” Knowing what we do about French values, that’s reason enough to worry.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4485256.stm
