How beleaguered minister Rachida Dati terrorises France's media with total impunity
Last week a judge ruled that France's culture minister Rachida Dati should stand trial on corruption and abuse of power charges. However, this did not stop Dati – who denies the allegations – from continuing her tough approach towards the country's broadcast media. Over the years the culture minister, part of whose remit is to uphold the independence of the press, has launched ferocious attacks on every newsroom that has dared mention cases that cast doubt on her integrity in public life. After targeting the country's public service broadcaster, the minister’s inner circle has once again turned on commercial news channel BFMTV, this time by insulting its editorial director. David Perrotin reports.
WhenWhen Rachida Dati appeared on LCI news channel on the evening of July 22nd she adopted the approach that attack is the best form of defence. France's culture minister cast doubt on the judges who had just sent her to stand trial in the Renault lobbying case, singled out one of the investigating magistrates in that case by name and went after the financial crimes prosecution unit, the Parquet National Financier (PNF).
