The New Watchdogs Page #2

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NEWS IS A BATTLE

When it comes to bawling out Sarkozy,

Laurent Joffrin knows his stuff.

About economic policy...

France's economy

is performing somewhat better

than its neighbors.

It would be unfair

to deny the Government credit for it.

Given the se good results,

my question is...

My week is starting well!

I'm here to help.

What comes next?

Wait for it.

After what you just said...

Get it off your chest!

Honestly...

We respect the facts,

even if they favor you.

Does it hurt, Doctor?

The director of Libration

has needled French presidents for years

with his no-nonsense,

almost impudent style.

Monsieur Chirac,

my question may offend you,

but presidential candidates

have to face tough questions.

Absolutely.

A storm of debate

has been raised

by a newspaper article

concerning an apartment

that you or your family

rents in central Paris...

- I do.

- You do?

You've been criticized

for benefiting, in a way,

from a disproportionately

low rent

considering the amenities

and nature of the apartment.

You have said

it's all legal and above board

and nobody has doubted your word,

but isn't it awkward, image-wise?

You risk being regarded as someone

who benefits, in all honesty,

as everyone agrees...

who benefits, as others do too,

from privileges

that ordinary citizens don't have,

since you seem to pay

a very low rent for that apartment.

Your question

doesn't shock me at all.

One minute and two seconds

to ask a question.

Chirac is on the ropes.

NEWS IS A BATTLE

I always admire and feel grateful...

We thank you,

ladies and gentlemen

of the political press

who substantially shape

our compatriots' opinions.

To all of you,

I extend my deepest thanks.

You play a clear role

in keeping our democracy alive.

These people aren't freelance

or part-time journalists.

They're the stars of the trade.

They shape the news

and the political and economic debate

in France.

If you look at the se celebrities,

you see the y're very similar

to politicians and business leaders.

They have many social traits in common.

They share the same social background.

Looking at famous French journalists,

you see very few

from working-class or rural families.

You find plenty of doctors' children,

diplomats' and industrialists' children.

Coming from similar backgrounds,

the y're familiar with each other.

They've also had the same education.

We think most journalists

went to journalism school,

but Ockrent, Pujadas and Elkabbach,

for example,

all graduated from Sciences Po.

Claire Chazal and Emmanuel Chain

are HEC alumni.

So the se star journalists

aren't ordinary reporters.

They're tight with

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