French Media

Today I’m going to talk about French media. I think you can tell a lot about a country through their media. However, I could be biased. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an emphasis in social media studies. So first we’re going to focus on social media, then news outlets and finally popular TV shows.

To clarify, when I say social media, I’m talking about networking services that allow the user to express themselves and communicate through virtual communities. In many ways, the French try to remain as French as possible. What I mean is that they resist outside influences, especially Anglo-Saxon influence. Under the premise of not wanting to promote American companies, it is illegal to say “Facebook” or “Twitter” on French TV or radio stations. Social media is actively discouraged by the French government, and for the amount of people who have access to the Internet (80%), the use of social media is low in France. All that said, the two most popular social media networks in France are Facebook (a social networking service where users can create profiles, exchange messages, and post status updates, images, and digital links) and Twitter (a news and social networking service where users can post messages, aka “tweets”, that are limited to 140 characters).

Other popular platforms (click on the names to go to the websites):

• LinkedIn: a business oriented social networking site that is mostly used for professional networking.
• Skyrock: a French blogging site.
• Badoo: a dating social networking site.
• Viadeo: a Paris-based business oriented social networking site (similar to LinkedIn).
• Trombi: a French social networking site that focuses on connecting with former classmates from school.
• Instagram: a photo-sharing service that allows users to share pictures and videos.
• Tumblr: a microblogging website.
• Pinterest: a networking system that allows people to share information.

French social media use is especially prevalent during and after tragic events. When tragic events happen, social media is often updated quicker and more frequently than normal news outlets since people can post updates as it’s happening. Afterwards, French people show support and national pride via social networks. After the terrorist attack in Paris in November 2015, people responded with #prayforparis and #PorteOuverte (open door). Overall though, social media hasn’t had a large impact on France, especially not for those over the age of 30. According to polls, it hasn’t had a huge impact on communication or everyday life.

Compared to other European Nations, the French don’t put as much importance on the news. Smaller, regional newspapers are more popular than large, national ones. The newspapers that are still around are struggling since there has been a decline in sales since the early 2000’s. The most popular and most highly praised newspaper is Le Monde. Though TV news seems to be the most popular way of getting news in France. There’s not a lot of information about popular news outlets; probably since it’s not popular in France.

The following list is popular TV series in France. I’ll put the French name first and then the American name, when possible, in parenthesis. I did a Google search for most popular TV series in France and this is what I found (click on the French names if you want to see trailers):

• Engrenages (Spiral): a police and legal drama that takes place in Paris.
• Versailles: a show that follows Louis XIV during his reign as King.
• Le Bureau des légendes (The Bureau): a political thriller that follows the lives of agents that work for the General Directorate of External Security (DGSE).
• Un Village Français (A French Village): a show that follows the inhabitants of the French, German-occupied village of Villeneuve during World War II.
• Fais Pas Ci, Fais Pas Ça(Desperate Parents): a mockumentary about two neighboring families, who are also friends, that have conflicting viewpoints (especially when it comes to raising children).
• PJ Masks: Based on the novel series, Les Pyjamasques, the show follows three kids that become super heroes by night.
• Les Revenants (The Returned): a supernatural drama about the reappearance of presumed-dead people, and the strange phenomena that follows.
• Les Témoins (Witnesses): a police drama where dead bodies keep mysteriously appearing.
• The Voice: la plus belle voix (The Voice: the Most Beautiful Voice): France’s version of The Voice; a reality show where competitors compete to see who has the best voice.
• Danse avec les stars (Dance with the stars): France’s version of Strictly Come Dancing; a reality show where competitors compete to see who the best dancers are.

From what I read, the most popular types of shows in France appear to be crime dramas. If you think any more TV shows should be added to this list, please feel free to comment below.

Additional Reading:

http://mashable.com/2011/06/03/twitter-facebook-mentions-banned-france/#w4xAz6IPimq8

http://www.extradigital.co.uk/articles/social-media/social-media-use-france.html

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-34836214

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17299010