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
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked
submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not
writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted
to say superb blog!
My family members always say that I am wasting my time here at web, however I
know I am getting experience every day by reading thes good articles or reviews.
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this post and also the rest of the site is also very good.
Hi there to every body, it’s my first pay a visit of this
webpage; this web site consists of remarkable and genuinely excellent stuff in favor of readers.
This design is steller! You certainly know how to
keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your
videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job.
I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more
than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do
it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from.
thanks
Marvelous, what a blog it is! This web site provides helpful data to us, keep it up.
Hello, its nice paragraph regarding media print, we all understand media
is a enormous source of data.
Hi there would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using?
I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having a
tough time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs
and I’m looking for something completely unique.
P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!
Superb blog you have here but I was curious about if you knew of
any user discussion forums that cover the same topics talked about
in this article? I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get opinions
from other knowledgeable individuals that share
the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Thanks a lot!
Appreciate the recommendation. Let me try it out.
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up
plus the rest of the site is extremely good.
Hello, this weekend is good for me, for the reason that this occasion i am reading this impressive educational piece
of writing here at my residence.
I really like it when people get together and share thoughts.
Great website, stick with it!
Just wish to say your article is as astounding. The clarity in your post is simply nice
and i could assume you are an expert on this subject.
Well with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.
Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.
Hi, this weekend is fastidious in favor of me, for the reason that this time i am reading this enormous informative paragraph here at my house.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in truth was once
a entertainment account it. Look complicated to more added agreeable
from you! By the way, how can we be in contact?
Remarkable things here. I’m very happy to look
your post. Thank you so much and I am taking a look ahead to contact you.
Will you kindly drop me a mail?
Very good article. I certainly love this site.
Continue the good work!
I have read so many articles regarding the blogger lovers except this piece of writing is truly a pleasant paragraph, keep it up.
I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic.
I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
Thanks for fantastic info I was looking for this information for my
mission.
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus i came to “return the favor”.I
am attempting to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok
to use some of your ideas!!
The other day, while I was at work, my sister
stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a twenty
five foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My
iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is
entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
I was able to find good info from your blog
articles.
After looking over a handful of the blog posts on your blog, I seriously appreciate your technique of
writing a blog. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking
back soon. Please check out my website too and let me know what you think.
Wonderful blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little
lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go
for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely confused ..
Any tips? Thanks!
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to far added agreeable from you!
By the way, how can we communicate?
I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your blog?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe
you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with
it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures.
Maybe you could space it out better?
I just could not leave your site before suggesting that I actually loved
the standard info an individual provide in your visitors?
Is going to be back ceaselessly to check out new posts
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you actually know what you’re speaking
approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also seek advice from my site =).
We can have a hyperlink alternate contract among us
Valuable information. Fortunate me I found your web site accidentally, and I’m stunned why this coincidence didn’t took place earlier!
I bookmarked it.
Hi there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working
with? I’m looking to start my own blog soon but I’m having a tough time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique.
P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!
Thanks in support of sharing such a nice
thinking, paragraph is good, thats why i have read it fully
Hi there! I know this is kind of off topic but I
was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha
plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
Thanks a lot!
My partner and I stumbled over here from a different website
and thought I should check things out. I like what I
see so now i am following you. Look forward
to exploring your web page for a second time.
Thanks to my father who stated to me on the topic of this web site,
this weblog is truly remarkable.
Very descriptive post, I liked that a lot. Will there be a part 2?
It’s very effortless to find out any matter on net as compared to textbooks, as I found this piece of writing at this website.
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across
this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much.
I hope to give something back and help others such as you helped me.
Does your website have a contact page? I’m having problems
locating it but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some
creative ideas for your blog you might be interested
in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to
seeing it grow over time.
hey there and thank you for your information – I have certainly picked
up anything new from right here. I did however expertise some technical issues using this site, since I experienced to reload the website a lot of times
previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK?
Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances
times will often affect your placement in google and could damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.
Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for a lot
more of your respective interesting content. Make sure you update this again very soon.
Hi to every one, it’s genuinely a nice for me to visit this web page,
it consists of priceless Information.
I don’t even know the way I finished up right here, but I thought this post was great.
I don’t realize who you’re however definitely you’re going to a well-known blogger for those who are not already.
Cheers!
I do not know if it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing issues with your blog.
It seems like some of the written text in your posts are running
off the screen. Can someone else please provide
feedback and let me know if this is happening to
them too? This may be a issue with my web browser because I’ve had
this happen before. Thank you
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It’s the
little changes that will make the biggest changes. Thanks for sharing!
My spouse and I stumbled over here different page and thought I may
as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you.
Look forward to checking out your web page again.
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google,
and found that it’s truly informative. I am gonna watch out
for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future.
Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no
question very quickly it will be well-known, due to its quality contents.
I appreciate, lead to I discovered just what I was having a look
for. You have ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day.
Bye
Hey there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of the post I realized
it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and
I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!