French editor apologises to Narayanan

By K. K. Katyal

PARIS, APRIL 19. The editor-in-chief of Le Figaro, a leading French daily, has conveyed his apology to the President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan, for an offensive headline on a story of the latter's arrival for talks with his French counterpart, Mr. Jacques Chirac.

The story on the President's five-day visit was headlined ``An Untouchable at the Elysee Palace''. This, as was natural, produced a strong reaction in the Indian delegation, accompanying the President. In a letter to the President, the editor-in-chief, Mr. Michel Schifres, says: ``I understand that one of the headlines of Le Figaro has hurt you as well your people. I apologise personally to you for this blunder and assure you that it was certainly not our intention to hurt you or be disrespectful to you; in fact, quite to the contrary, in as much as the relations between your country, our country and Le Figaro are old and friendly. In reiterating our apologies, please accept, Mr. President, the expression of my highest consideration''.

The President, obviously, was pained at this ``fixation'' of a section of the press. He was unhappy that the embassy here had not provided the required guidance to the French press, in advance of his visit.

The French media, it was clear, did not realise the implications of the word ``untouchable''. A French journalist, once based in India, sought to explain that it was intended to convey the sense of social mobility of the backward classes. This was a clear case of a yawning gap in the perceptions of the foreign media about the situations and matters in India - a challenge which the official press relations agencies had failed to tackle. There is, however, no justification for the abysmal ignorance abroad about India.

It was not Le Figaro alone which committed the blunder. Le Monde, too, based its story on the ``untouchable''. The issue, however, did not figure in Mr. Narayanan's talks with the French leaders - their discussions were marked by extreme cordiality and respect. The French side did its best to project the most agreeable face during the President's visit. There was, however, the danger of the sharp reaction in India to the French media headlines and despatches affecting the relationship, built with great care. The Le Figaro apology has served to avert that ugly turn. The lesson, however, remains, and needs to be learnt.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Previous : Samata leader killed in court premises