2024-03-25 18:07:49
The 17th International Journalism Conference will be held from March 25 to 30, 2024 in Tours, in the west of France. On this occasion, France 24 is a partner in a study carried out by the Viavoice institute, on a general public sample of 1,001 people, representative of the population aged over 18. Due to the Olympic year, this survey is particularly interested in sports journalism.
Published on: 03/25/2024 – 7:07 p.m.
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The French continue to consider journalism useful. As the Journalism Conference opens on Monday March 25 in Tours, the eighth barometer on the usefulness of journalism presents reassuring figures on the relationship between the French and journalists.
More than 8 in 10 French people still believe that journalism is a useful profession (85%). A score up since last year, but down five points compared to the year 2022, marked by the start of the war between Ukraine and Russia and the French presidential election.
The survey on the credit given to journalism. © Viavoice
However, the year 2024 marks a further reduction in the credit given to so-called “professional” information. Only 72% of French people continue to give priority to the information they find in professional media, whatever the medium. A score down four points compared to last year and which is decreasing for the second year in a row. It returned to its lowest score since February 2020, just before the start of the Covid-19 crisis, which had created a surge in confidence.
The survey on trust placed in professional media. © Viavoice
A France of sport and a France that does not follow the subject
Due to the Olympic year, the barometer carried out particular work on sports journalism and the relationship of the French to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
On the subject of sport, the French are divided to the point that the summary of the opinion survey speaks of “two Frances”. Nearly one in two French people say they regularly learn regarding sport and its news: 22% daily, 23% at least once a week. Among those who have a distant relationship with sports news, 35% do not follow it regularly, while the remaining 20% are never interested in it.
The survey on the French relationship with sports journalism. © Viavoice
Even if sport remains a more consensual subject than other current issues, such as the war in Ukraine or Covid-19, the French remain demanding: 76% believe that sports journalists must be neutral and not display their preferences. A concern that is even more significant among older people: 83% of those aged 60 and over compared to 68% of those aged 18-24
“Come on Blues!”
And those questioned do not hesitate to judge the current media harshly: more than one in two French people believe that sports journalists are not neutral and that they display their preferences, while a third of the population thinks the opposite (35 %).
However, an incongruity appears when we touch on the French teams. While neutrality is generally expected, almost one in two French people (45%) believe that in the case where France is represented, commentators must show their preferences.
A figure which rises to 65% among those who obtain information very regularly. Conversely, only 23% of those who never follow sports news expect a form of support from journalists.
The survey on the neutrality of journalists towards the French teams. © Viavoice
The French, not very impatient regarding the Olympics
In July and August, the Olympic Games return to Paris for the first time in a century. However, despite the rarity of the event, it is an understatement to say that the French do not show disproportionate enthusiasm: only 37% of them are impatient (14% “a lot” and 23% “a little”) “). A score which even drops to 30% for the Paralympic Games.
The survey on the impatience of the French regarding the Olympics and the Paralympic Games. © Viavoice
Impatience is more palpable among those who regularly follow sport, but it is not excessive either: only 55% of enthusiasts are impatiently awaiting the Olympics.
For this event, the French have expectations: 52% want journalists to provide clear and detailed information on the different competitions, 43% want them to share the atmosphere and emotions of the competitions. Finally, a third of French people hope to discover new sporting disciplines, see the athletes speak and discover the atmosphere in the cities where the competitions take place.
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