France: CFWIJ Condemns Threats Against Jewish Columnist Ruth Elkrief Following Comments by Far-Left Leader
Journalist under police protection following attacks
Location: France, Paris
Date: December 3, 2023
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom is deeply concerned about the recent threats against Ruth Elkrief, a respected French Jewish columnist working with TV broadcaster LCI. These threats, which have necessitated police protection, are unacceptable in a society that values freedom of the press and the safety of its journalists. We commend the French Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, for his prompt response in providing police protection to Elkrief. We further strongly condemn the irresponsible and harmful rhetoric used by political figures that target journalists. Such language not only endangers individual journalists but also undermines the broader principles of a free press.
Ruth Elkrief, a prominent French Jewish columnist with TV broadcaster LCI, is currently facing heightened security concerns and has been placed under police protection. The threats stem from comments made by far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon following an interview conducted by Elkrief with Manuel Bompard, a lawmaker from Mélenchon's France Unbowed (LFI) party on December 3, 2023.
The interview in question became contentious, leading Mélenchon to label Elkrief as a "manipulator" and accuse her of displaying "contempt for Muslims." After, Elkrief received threats, prompting French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin to announce the provision of police protection for the journalist.
The politician “put a target on the back of Mrs. Elkrief, who already faced many threats as a journalist (and) was just doing her job,” Darmanin said, condemning the reckless conduct of the far-left party leader.
“(He) put a target on the back of Mrs. Elkrief, who already faced many threats as a journalist (and) was just doing her job”
Ruth Elkrief has received support from her employer, TF1 TV channel, which issued a statement condemning the "odious invectives and inappropriate insinuations" directed at the journalist.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of heightened political tensions within France, particularly centered around the far-left's refusal to condemn the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. These attacks, resulting in the death of around 1,200 people on Israeli soil, have ignited a broader debate on antisemitism in French politics. Mélenchon, in particular, has been accused of antisemitism by political opponents, reviving long-standing claims about his alleged antisemitic behavior.
The Middle East conflict has also seen women journalists in France resign from their posts in protest of their outlets’ coverage. Achouak Hannachi and Amani Oueslati resigned from Canal+ and Cnews, respectively, due to their dissatisfaction with the channels' support for Israel. These resignations reflect a growing discontent among journalists with how the media is reporting the conflict.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom expresses deep concern over the threats and attacks faced by Ruth Elkrief, a seasoned journalist merely performing her duties. The incident highlights a worrying trend of journalists facing backlash for their work, particularly when it intersects with sensitive political issues. Mélenchon's characterization of Elkrief as a "manipulator" and his accusations regarding her attitude towards Muslims have led to a dangerous escalation, putting her safety at risk. We call for a thorough investigation into the threats and urge a commitment to safeguarding the freedom and safety of journalists, irrespective of their background or the political context in which they operate.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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