Journalist Françoise Laborde has decided to leave the association For women in the media (PFDM) which she had founded, denouncing "hypocrisy" and "personal calculations" from the organization's office, which refused to take position after the César Award for Best Direction given to director Roman Polanski, for his film J'accuse .
"Just a few months after having solemnly signed a charter against sexual harassment, the PFDM office refuses to take a position on the Polanski affair, so as not to contradict the interests of some. It is an ukase and hypocrisy that I cannot accept, ”argues Françoise Laborde in a text transmitted to 20 Minutes . Roman Polanski is accused by twelve women of sexual violence.
"A denial of democracy and an insult to raped women"
Françoise Laborde, who was a presenter of the television news at France 2 and member of the Superior council of audio-visual, tells in this text how in her eyes the association became an “instrument of power” for some: “A means to have direct access to the bosses and political leaders, a kind of sesame for advancing your career ”.
The journalist explains behind the scenes of the association's decision: "I tried to make my voice heard in vain, the office completely dismissed me from this debate, however essential. She denounces "a denial of democracy and an insult to raped and harassed women". "The new office only calls me when they need me, but as soon as I express an opinion, I am sent to walk," she explains to 20 Minutes .
Itching powder
"The strength of an association that defends women is precisely to defend women and not to try to find extenuating circumstances for rapists and harassers," argues François Laborde.
At 20 Minutes , she adds: "If we are obsessed with not displeasing, if we are not scratchy, it is not worth militating in a feminist association, otherwise we go to the Lions club or to Rotary. She also regrets the lack of solidarity with the Minister of Culture, Franck Riester, who praised the courage of actress Adèle Haenel and took a stand in the aftermath of the Cesars, believing that "celebrating" Roman Polanski was a "bad signal ". "He has always supported and encouraged us and we are not even able to make a little tweet to say bravo and thank you?" ", She regrets.
Contacted by 20 Minutes , Laurence Bachman, co-president of PFDM, declared "deeply regret the departure of Françoise Laborde". "Regarding the Polanski affair, the association neither supports nor defends the indefensible and no one can rely on his talent to cover up his crime," said PFDM in a statement sent by the CEO of the Telfrance Group.
PFDM gathered at the end of January in the salons of the Ministry of Culture of the big bosses of television channels and newspapers, who signed a charter on sexual harassment. 59 media have thus promised in particular to set up a device of listening and assistance to the victims.
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- Caesar 2020
- Roman Polanski
- Television
- Feminism
- Sexual harassment