By now you've probably heard that several British journalists – notably from a newspaper called The News of the World – have been arrested for hacking into the mobile phones of politicians and celebrities. Their espionage exploits aimed to unearth all sorts of gossip and political corruption. But mostly gossip.
Journalists spying on politicians? I bet that doesn't happen in France. In France, politicians spy on journalists. Or marry them. I've always been shocked by the number of French journalists living with or married to politicians. Christophe Barbier of L'Express listed them in a recent blog post: Jean-Louis Borloo and Béatrice Schönberg, François Hollande and Valérie Trierweiler, Arnaud Montebourg and Audrey Pulvar. He did not mention Christine Ockrent and Bernard Kouchner. Of course, people are free to fall in love with who they like – but I can't help thinking the trend illustrates the toothless nature of the French press.
Surely the role of journalists is to maintain a healthy distance from those in power? To criticise and cajole them – and not just for failing to do the washing up. It strikes me that French journalists are attracted to power, like teenagers in the thrall of rock stars. British journalists do not marry politicians. Instead, our politicians marry lawyers. Probably so they can seek advice when they want to sue The News of the World.
