«Courageous», «serious»... ten readers describe Le Regard Libre10 reading minutes

By the way, why are you reading us? Here, for our 100^e issue, responses from Zeynep Ersan, Lionel Hort, Delphine Gendre, Pascal Couchepin, Joseph and Madeleine Mayoraz, Yves Tabin, Cathy Sierro, Jean-Jacques Michelet, Laetitia Guinand and Jean-François Braunstein.

Zeynep Ersan: «Free speech and... keeping it!»

Five years ago now, in September 2018 to be precise, I decided to take the plunge. Since then, I've been reading my favorite dailies and magazines online or via their app. Gone is the paper format I used to devour. But there's an exception to this new habit: Le Regard Libre! I couldn't say why. But I'm delighted every month when I find this white A4 envelope with an elegant blue logo in my letterbox. I often open it already on the stairs, impatient as I am, to discover the theme in the spotlight. Whether I like it or not, each issue is a promise of deep and stimulating reflection. Whether or not I agree with the points of view expressed, it doesn't matter. What's essential is the promise of freedom of approach and tone. With this freedom of speech, commitment is honored. With a few rare exceptions... who nourish the desire to debate in person. And so it is that Le Regard Libre has recently started organizing themed meetings - and all the better for it!

Lionel Hort: «More than just a monthly magazine».»

The media landscape in the French-speaking cantons is dreary, and you can count on the fingers of one hand the opinion papers that break this monotony. Le Regard Libre is one of them. Depending on your mood, you can browse or find something to satisfy your hunger. The eclecticism of the Regard Libre, The diversity of its writers does not detract from the general spirit of the title, which deals seriously with the affairs of the city. A liberal political perspective always enriched by multiple points of view, whether historical, poetic or economic. This willingness to open up readers' horizons of thought, through Swiss and international current affairs reports or interviews with heterodox intellectuals, makes each issue of the Regard Libre of interest. Without neglecting the importance of a paper medium committed to the French language, the editorial team also knows how to approach its readership through videos or the conferences it organizes. This personified dimension makes it more than just a monthly magazine. We always read the quotes on the last page first. They represent the aspectuality that makes Regard Libre, to whom we wish long life.

Pascal Couchepin: «A refreshing oasis».»

I enjoy reading every month Le Regard Libre. It's a refreshing oasis in the world of intellectual conformism that the media and, increasingly, certain universities are becoming. Le Regard Libre is serious in its analysis, with a strong musical and artistic outlook. Its editorial staff is young, which is pleasant, even if it can provoke irony from veteran academics. Le Regard Libre is not reactionary, but inspired by the free spirit of the Enlightenment. It is making its mark, step by step, in the dialogue of ideas in French-speaking Switzerland. Long live Regard Libre!

Joseph and Madeleine Mayoraz: «A quality presentation».»

What makes you want to read Le Regard Libre, is first and foremost the quality of its presentation: its graphic design, its photos... Then there's the clarity with which the subjects are presented, right from the table of contents. We also like the editorials for the way they summarize the material covered in the various articles. We also appreciate the diversity of themes presented in each issue. Even if we don't always agree with the positions taken, reading them allows us to enrich our various sources of information.

Delphine Gendre: «A courageous look».»

Le Regard Libre. A short title, but one that speaks volumes. The gaze, first of all. The attention we pay to someone or something, to a fact or an event. This gaze could have been «current» or «factual», since we're talking about journalism here. It could also have been «lively» or «young», given the age of its founder. But first and foremost, Jonas Follonier wanted it to be free. Free from fads and ready-made thinking. Free in tone and choice of subjects. And I'd be tempted to add that it's also courageous. Yes, because it takes a good dose of courage to launch a magazine of this calibre, ambitious and sometimes against the tide. At first, a modest student publication, Le Regard Libre today's media landscape in French-speaking Switzerland. We want more! Well done, and thank you for contributing to the diversity of opinion and the press.

Yves Tabin: «Intelligent youth»

One blessed day, I met Jonas, a pleasant young man busy promoting a student magazine. This publication hadn't sunk after just one issue, like the one we'd launched in my day at the end of college to show off our brain muscles. On the contrary, it stood the test of time, thanks to the enthusiasm and perseverance of its authors, academics here and there in French-speaking Switzerland. I subscribed immediately, to support such a promising adventure of the mind.

I soon discovered a steady stream of fascinating articles on the political, societal and cultural challenges of our time. Even today, I marvel at the wisdom and vigor of this intelligent youth. I think of the Cid: «I am young, it is true; but to souls well born, value does not await the number of years». Was Rodrigue announcing Jonas and his team?

I'm reassured about the future of our world where, all too often, mediocrity bastardizes culture, emoticons take the place of the imperfect subjunctive and simple ideas sterilize democratic debate. On the contrary, this high-caliber magazine calls on us to think beyond clichés and slogans. May it continue to sharpen its free-spirited gaze, even when its young editors have reached the canonical age of their oldest readers!

Cathy Sierro: «A different angle».»

The Vex (VS) library subscribes to the Regard Libre since it was first published. It's not every day that a newspaper editor and creator is a native of our commune. But if the initial desire was to support this magazine, the quality of the articles has done the rest. Le Regard Libre offers philosophical reflection on various social themes, and it's a pleasure to discover the wealth of literary and historical references contained in the articles. The books reviewed are diverse and original. Journalists are not afraid to evoke their emotions when reading, making their reviews involved and persuasive. What's more, certain bibliographical sources sometimes motivate the library's acquisitions on topical subjects. The magazine's cover is sober, and the aesthetics of the photos are meticulous and sometimes surprising. Although the articles are complex, their length and varied style do not discourage reading and make it enjoyable. By offering a different perspective, Le Regard Libre enriches us. It motivates us to open books and cultivate ourselves. In this respect, it has a rightful place in our libraries.

Jean-François Braunstein: «A liberal magazine, which no longer exists in France».»

I met Jonas Follonier through a dear friend, Roland Jaccard, who wanted me to meet a young, curious and talented Swiss journalist with whom I would get on very well. I was only able to do so after Roland's death. And when I discovered Le Regard Libre, I knew that once again Roland had given me some excellent reading advice. I read it with pleasure, firstly because it's a liberal magazine, which no longer exists in France. Secondly, because it brings a different, young, Swiss and liberal viewpoint to the issues of the moment: immigration, AI, drugs, generalized infantilization, authoritarian tendencies «in the name of the good» and wokism. Le Regard Libre chooses his reference authors well, from Chesterton to Manent, via Tocqueville, Ortega y Gasset and Lasch. Finally, perhaps the most important reason: Le Regard Libre is written by young people, who are rediscovering the ideals of journalism we all loved: curiosity, respect for facts, the search for truth, freedom of thought. That would be good news, because «freedom is never more than a generation away from extinction», as Ronald Reagan put it.

Jean-Jacques Michelet: «A little out of the ordinary».»

We expected it to be lively, biting and a little impertinent. It is all that and a little more, because it delivers on the promise of its title: Le Regard Libre. This freedom of tone and the diversity of commentary lend credibility to the magazine. Politically, Le Regard Libre skilfully avoids dogmatism while assuming its positions on wokism and neutrality. The space given over to interviews is delightful, and the depth of the insights invites us to take the time to reflect. A luxury to be savored in a media world saturated with ready-to-think. And then there's the quality of the guest personalities: Sylvain Tesson, what a pleasure! André Comte-Sponville, what a height of vision! Last but not least, a mention for the sharp literary criticism and the artistic quality of the photos. Shrewdness, wit, a youthful spirit and a true identity. That's why I give the Regard Libre a special place.

Laetitia Guinand: «A solid editorial line».»

Happy Birthday, my dear Regard Libre! Almost ten years old, you're a venerable man now, but your sass remains your trademark. Le Regard Libre, You had to dare, after all, to choose this «Nietzschean» title and the demands it placed on you, always ploughing a little outside the furrow already dug. You also had to dare with a print run, right-wing opinion (at the time, today it's almost prescriptive), and even commit yourself to the journalistic enterprise without any real resources, at a time when even the big industrial «farms» are filing for bankruptcy. And it's clear that your gamble paid off. Better still, you've forged your reputation thanks to a solid, well-thought-out editorial line, a few «coups», and the pugnacity of your talented editor-in-chief Jonas Follonier and his all-volunteer team. Of course, this isn't a long-term model - all work deserves a reward. That said, you've taught us the most valuable lesson of all: there's still a lot to want and hope from this wonderful profession. Long life, my dear Regard Libre!

You can read some of these testimonials on our YouTube channel.