“Some areas of Nice are lawless zones.”
This was one of the recurring themes of the show “Emergency Calls,” which aired on TF1 from Tuesday night into Wednesday. The report, created by Céline Destève and Jean-Michel Canovas, had the flavor of the reality TV beloved by France’s premier channel, featuring a portrayal of the city of Nice from its most sinister angles.
Assaults, car thefts, and burglaries were presented as part of the daily lot for the people of Nice, as well as thousands of tourists who flock each year to the capital of the French Riviera. And as if that were not enough, violent images of car thefts were shown, even though they had been filmed several years ago.
What should one think of this kind of reportage that more resembles an English tabloid than the news and society magazine it claims to be?
What are the obscure reasons that prompted TF1 to show the city of Nice as a lawless zone, glorifying crime which has nevertheless decreased by more than 15% in the city?
What about this distorted truth that places the city of Nice on the same level as the Bronx?
By overdoing it, we even risk making tourists, who we hope were not watching their TVs on Tuesday night (or not watching TF1), doubt and change their next holiday destination, perhaps opting for Brittany or Ardèche instead.
Ladies and gentlemen journalists from Paris, please keep your feet on the ground, especially when it is not your ground and you do not know either its history or its stories.
One must maintain reason, especially when they are wrong!
Franck Viano
