Dialogue in and between Different Cultures - International ...

Cultural Dialogue between France and Spain 77
increased and 60 universities are either blocked or in upheaval, with serious
rioting in Toulouse”). He then gives way to images and news about Toulouse
University, which confirm the afore mentioned events. Once again, students
provide different points of view on the events.
The news about Toulouse leads to the fifth sequence, the political analysis. A
screen title states that according to a survey, 60% of the French are for the
withdrawal of the CPE. DP evaluates the evolution of the public opinion, opposed
to the positioning of the political actors, who are taking action. The Prime
Minister, Dominique de Villepin, states at his arrival at the Employment Ministry,
that he will not change his mind. Nicolas Sarkozy, at the Police Head Quarters,
gives advice on how to face the rioters; François Hollande criticizes the Government,
which prend un risque à ne rien écouter et à ne rien vouloir voir; à vouloir
passer en force, à vouloir l’immobilisme, le blocage (“acts dangerously in not
listening and not seeing; in wanting to act by force, wanting people to be passive,
wanting to set up blockades”).
The analysis of the current situation is followed by a comparison with similar
situations and moments in France – thus, a historic contextualization. We are
reminded of the events of 1986, and we see historic images where Jacques Chirac
announces the withdrawal of the bill, after the death of the young demonstrator
Malik Oussekim. The reforms of 1994, 1997, 2002 and 2005 which also failed are
reviewed, too. The journalists remind us that no attempt to reform French
education has succeeded against the opposition of the citizens, and finishes with
this commentary: Depuis 1981, la France a connu plus de 20 gouvernements.
Pour expliquer et réformer il faut du temps, c’est, visiblement, ce qui manque aux
politiques depuis 25 ans (“Since 1981, France has had more than 20 different
governments. To explain and to reform takes time, but the politicians have
obviously not had enough over the last 25 years”).
After the rest of the news, very briefly dispatched, DP evaluates the final
clashes at Sorbonne Square and announces the debate which is to follow the news
broadcast, also on the events of the day, and conducted by Arlette Chabot.
4.2 General characteristics of the news on F2
The news bulletin programme shows a willingness to be exhaustive and balanced,
because
− different social actors are used as witnesses, expressing sometimes opposite
opinions,
− even if Paris is the starting point and the main center of interest – the biggest
demonstration is taking place there – other cities in France are also presented,
even the Isle of Réunion in the Indian Ocean,
− there is also a variation in time, since we are reminded of similar previous
situations.