Taking an interest in others: the basis of journalism

Le Regard Libre N° 72 - Jonas Follonier

This is undoubtedly one of the most important causes to defend today: that of pluralism. In recent years, the ravages of political correctness (there are things you're allowed to say and things you're not), the ready-to-think (avoid thinking uncritically by repeating ideas prepared for you) and the intellectual mode (what needs to be said to «do the right thing») are sawing off the very branch on which the very possibility of democratic discussion and civilized controversy rests.

The media and universities are prime examples of places where pluralism is on the verge of disappearing. Of course, this does not apply to all media outlets or all universities, and obviously pluralism is not entirely absent in the strict sense. The reality is far more insidious: there is a general atmosphere that is hardly conducive to ideas that differ from the dominant ideology. Not only does more or less covert censorship prevail, but we have already reached the stage of self-censorship.

The renowned French journalist Anne Nivat stated this last month on the set of «C à vous»: her colleagues are becoming less and less interested in people who don’t think like them. Here are some of the courageous remarks she made: «Since when should journalists only interview those who share their values? […] Journalism is about taking an interest in everyone. Asking questions of someone whose opinions you don’t share doesn’t mean you agree with them.»

But the matter is even more serious than that: interviewing someone with whom you largely agree, but who is not on the side of good, is already punishable by a fine for the offense of “wrong-thinking.”. Let’s not even get into the specific people or topics involved, because, in fact, there simply shouldn’t be any. Freedom of expression finds its counterpart in journalism, which has a duty to convey everyone’s opinions—provided they are of journalistic interest and do not cross into illegality, of course.

The outcry sparked by the use of the term «Islamo-leftism» is all too indicative of the intellectual laziness that has taken hold of many of our academic and media elites. Instead of, for example, addressing the issue raised by French Minister Frédérique Vidal—which she describes as the ideological manipulation of certain university courses—most editorialists and university representatives prefer to say: «Islamo-leftism is a vague concept that was coined by the far right.».

Hasn't the far right also become a vague concept? Enough with discrediting others by showering them with condemnations. Let’s opt for debate instead.

Write to the author: jonas.follonier@leregardlibre.com

Drawing: © Nathanaël Schmid for Le Regard Libre