Sub menu: Press review
Press review / Index of Authors
Bouguereau, Jean-Marcel
5 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Number plates against anonymity
The French government's plans to alter national number plates so that the origin of a car is no longer discernible have led to vehement protest. The Political weekly Nouvel Observateur sympathises with the protests: "Defence Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie has just presented the new law that is to enter force in January 2009. It foresees number plates which no longer automatically carry the number of the department the car comes from. The announcement alone was enough to trigger a storm of protest. The 'hands off my number plate' movement initiated by 200 MPs has weakened the project. The department number has simply become part of our cultural heritage and our mentality. It is as if the old slogan 'small is beautiful' were gaining new force. ... Banning the department numbers from number plates would only reinforce the anonymity which is already overwhelming our society. ... Today everyone knows that the [administrative] structure of France needs to be revised. It suffers from regions that are too small and overburdened departments that should really transfer their powers to the regions and the inter communal structures. But – as the affair with the number plates proves – this will not happen any time soon."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Infrastructure / Travel and Transport, » Public Culture, » France
The energy crisis demands a new civilisation model
The political weekly Le Nouvel Observateur calls for a radical change in energy policy: "The oil market has gone 'completely crazy'. It was not just anybody who said this but OPEC Secretary-General Abdalla El-Badri. The price per barrel is now in fact considerably higher than the inflation-adjusted prices reached in 1981 during the second oil crisis. ... We must change our entire civilisation model, particularly in view of the environmental problems and climate change we are now facing ... because if energy costs continue to rise the result will be new conflicts and new human tragedies. ... We should try to secure alternative sources of energy like wind energy, nuclear energy, solar energy or thermal power. The question of using nuclear energy, the only reliable energy source ... that does not contribute to the greenhouse effect, remains open ... Environmentalists in particular should focus on this issue. Tragically, they are staying out of the public debate at a time when their issues are as pressing as never before."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » Energy Policy, » Global
Watchdog - or lap dog - of democracy?
Jean-Marcel Bouguereau, chief editor of political weekly Le Nouvel Observateur, warns of a draft law by Justice Minister Rachida Dati which could undermine the protection of journalistic information: "[Last] Thursday the members of parliament adopted the proposal for the so-called Dati-Law in the first reading. The official aim of this law is to guarantee the protection of journalsitic sources. But in truth it represents a step backwards, because the Justice Minister ... believes that the protection of information 'cannot be absolute' and may be suspended 'under certain, clearly defined circumstances'. ... What is at stake here is clear. How can a witness of bribery or some other scandal trust a journalist if the protection of information is not guaranteed in full? ... The European Court of Human Rights does not hesitate to call journalists the 'watchdogs of democracy'. ... But we will be a far cry from that if the Dati-Law is passed."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Media policy, » France
Nicolas Sarkozy's media masquerade
French President Nicolas Sarkozy appeared on French television April 24th to account for his first year in power. "Was it really necessary to impose on France 90 minutes of repetitive arguments because Nicolas Sarkozy is sinking in the polls, even among those who voted for him?", asks Jean-Marcel Bougureau. "Confidence in him has been broken and his presidential words ring hollow. Was it really so important to bring together five journalists who all, except for Yves Calvi, allowed the President to speak with impunity without challenging him on the most dubious declarations? Wouldn't it have been possible to ask him questions on the perverse effect of the inheritance law that encourages an investment economy and doesn't reward work? ... Wouldn't it be possible, faced with his sudden modesty, to ask him - since his recognised having 'made mistakes' - what these mistakes actually were?"
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » France
The metamorphosis of 'Les Bleus'
Even if he acknowledges that "France had more luck than grace" in its match against Portugal, Jean-Marcel Bouguereau finds that France's semi-final victory in the football World Cup caps an extraordinary reversal of fortune. "It took just a few matches to turn things around. The victory against Brazil was exemplary. The very same players that everyone said were worn out and old, this team that was said to be out of tune, abruptly metamorphosised as if thanks to some miraculous alchemy. The lead turned into gold. Into a collective in which, before our eyes, everything all of a sudden began to click. Abruptly, with the match against Brazil, the French team transformed into a magnificent display of conquering ambition, enthusiasm, feints and beautiful play."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » France
Bookmark this page at
© 2005-2008