Page - 129 - in Media – Migration – Integration - European and North American Perspectives

Souley Hassane | Mainstream Media vs. Ethnic Minority Media 129 3.4 Dominant media, minority media and the emergence of the black question in France The ‘black question’ became a major media topic with the adoption of the Taubira law3, which condemns slavery as a crime against humanity. The law officially documents the transatlantic slave trade in which France participated. This was the beginning of the media coverage of an issue that had up to that point been largely ignored. The Internet revolution has brought many aspects of such issues to light. The connections between peoples of African descent have furthered their interests in how other communities of African origin, in particular African Americans, establish their identity. The American model functions as a paradigm of better opportunity for blacks, while France is seen as a location of elementary struggle for recognition. Afrikara is one of the most assertive African/Caribbean sites. Created in 1997, it is establishing itself as a militant and alternative site with a major focus on Africa, France, and blacks in the world. Reporting on instances of discrimination is one of the major focuses of its articles. Analysis of the political and economic situation in Africa constitutes another. Articles focusing on blacks in the world also have a broader impact. Information is often staged in such a way as to highlight the contrast between the situation of blacks in France and their situation in the USA. In the context of the resurgence of post-9/11 xenophobic ideas, much the same scheme can be observed in the treatment of information: sensationalist and racist statements, individuals targeted and condemned by the media, and corresponding reactions. Here, the year 2003 is an important point of reference. In a program on channel France 3, Marc-Olivier Fogiel sent an SMS to the Franco-Cameroonian comedian Dieudonné in these words: “Would it be funny if we did a sketch on the odors of blacks?” The scandal surrounding this SMS led to weekly demonstrations of groups of blacks in front of the headquarters of France 3. In 2005, the TV host was brought to trial. Afrikara stresses that: “Marc-Olivier Fogiel acknowledges both the SMS which failed to shock a soul in the high-end of France nor in the French media, and his violent and gratuitous gesture to the person Dieudonné. At this point, references were made to an “American-Zionist theme” of the comedian where he was dressed in a costume “that recalled without ambiguity that of an orthodox Jew disguised as a terrorist” (Akamayong 2004). While Dieudonné was accused of anti-Semitism, Fogiel was accused of anti-black racism. Several groups demanded Fogiel’s resignation. When there were protest actions in the middle of the program, this triggered open tension between the public 3 See http://www.christiane-taubira.net/cms/index.php?page=loi-taubira.