France: Sarkozy denies influence on press

Posted by Jean Yves Chainon on December 12, 2007 at 2:38 PM

“Press freedom is the leftist support,” ironically said French President Nicolas Sarkozy in an interview with Nouvel Observateur, in which he defended himself from having any control over the media.

There have been several recent occasions on which stories that could have been potentially damaging to Sarkozy’s image have been withdrawn or altered.

But Sarkozy strongly denied that.

“The press is generally leftist, not socialist, not partisan, but culturally leftist. That doesn’t bother anybody,” he said.

“The press, generally, is leftist support. When one supports me, it becomes control of the media,” he said ironically.

Any thoughts?

Source: AFP Mail