reality TV in the face of ever more virulent cyberbulling of candidates

Online hatred is increasingly targeting participants, like the “Star Ac” finalist Ebony. Some program producers work to strengthen protection … while continuing to ensure the show.

EEast ” Magnificent “, “Very strong”… Saturday, January 18, the teachers of the Star academy Corporated the performances of the young Ebony, during the tele-hook semi-final-which she won. Since the start of the season, on October 12, the singer impressed with her talent. However, on social networks, some Internet users use other qualifiers, uninhibited racism and sexism. So much so that his supporters have denounced “Very violent attacks” and that a petition was launched to say “Stop in trivialized racism” of which Ebony is the target. The SOS Racisme association said on Wednesday January 22 on Wednesday, January 22, having made a report to justice.

Since his return to TF1, the Star academy Promote benevolence and generosity. But that does not prevent a minority of viewers from letting go on the networks. In November, three eliminated “academicians” had spoke during an Instagram live, while some of their comrades who remained at the castle suffered the wrath of unhappy fans: “Calm down a bit on the networks, please. […] Even if it is behind the screen, it can still hurt ”, they recalled.

The multiplication of hateful remarks is such that, on December 23, TF1 and Endemol, the production company (Banijay group), published a press release to specify that they “Reserve the right to initiate any legal action”.

This is not the first reframing … In recent years, cyberbullying has been a new parameter to manage – or not – for production boxes. More particularly “Since the containment of 2020”, specifies Julien Magne, the director of ALP, who produces Koh-Lanta, “When idle people have let off steam on the networks. Since then, some Internet users have taken the fold: threats, calls for rape, assault ”, he regrets.

“We advise adventurers to file a complaint, specifies Julien Magne, And, as a company, we made reports from the public prosecutor. »» According to ALP's director of communication, some complaints led to work sentences of general interest, but others have been classified without follow -up because the stalkers were not identified – the social network in question having refused to collaborate with justice. “These platforms accept that in their breast unacceptable things can be said. We are not so far from an area of ​​no right ”, Julien Magne is sorry.

When the candidates leave the show, we explain everything that happened online.

Estelle Rivet, director of communication and digital for Endemol France

Now, to prepare his adventurers, Alp provides for awareness times “On the functioning of social networks and the way of protecting oneself in the event of an attack”, he continues. “We remind them that the psychologist can accompany them on these subjects. »» Competitors are also advised to use the Bodyguard application, which allows hateful comments to be filtered.

This application is also offered to apprentice singers of the Star academy, In addition to the shrink and the provision of a moderation guide. Endemol is anxious to be a good student in the fight against cyberbullying. “The candidates do not know what is said on the networks when they are in the castle”, Recalls Estelle Rivet, director of communication and digital for Endemol France.

So, upstream, the producers ask them to designate “a moderator” who will be able to connect to their networks and alert them “If he ever sees a rise in hatred”. “In general, he is a family member, often a brother or a sister, Details Estelle Rivet. When the candidates leave the show, we are there at the hotel with them and we explain everything that happened online. »»

Influencers better armed in the face of harassment?

Another initiative of the program: on November 6, on the occasion of the week of combating school harassment, the students received the visit of Justine Atlan, director of the E-Enfance association, which fights against digital violence, And from… Brigitte Macron. An exchange during which Ebony was able to evoke the cyberbullying which she has (already!) Experience when she was a schoolgirl.

Social networks would be better managed by candidates already experienced in the exercise of virality. “We work with candidates accustomed to TV”, describes Florence Fayard, CEO of Banijay Prod, which produces The fifty or Apprentice adventurers. “These influencers or former participants of reality TV shows know the crossing of networks as much as I do, if not better. In general, they are already well armed against that, notes the producer, With an agent who takes care of them on a daily basis. »»

This does not prevent these protagonists of emissions from confinement from being targeted by invective, as observes by the semiologist of the media Virginie Spies. “Some Internet users believe that this celebrity is easily acquired and that, if the candidates benefit from it, they must also suffer the disadvantages. And therefore cyberbullying… ”

Producers have responsibility. When you do not show all the reality of a scene, it can then lead to cyberbullying.

Valérie Rey-Robert, essayist

This mistress of conferences, which worked on the links between social networks and reality TV, also points out the role of specialized youtubers, or that of former candidates: by commenting online the news of this world, they propagate rumors and clashes . It is this influencer that promises “Revelations” On such an ex-concurrent with whom he is in conflict, or this other who balances on his ex-the candidates, misogyny obliges, being particularly victims of the relentlessness of Internet users.

Some production companies would also have a share of responsibility in the outbreak of a wave of hatred. The feminist essayist Valérie Rey-Robert points out that “In confinement shows, productions often engage fragile personalities, or men who can behave like bastards, because it will make good sequences, with candidates who cry, who get upset …” To maintain the interest of viewers, programs tend to match their candidates for stereotypes, “the manipulator”, “jealous” … which can in return arouse public hostility on networks. Concerned about their audiences, diffusers and producers have every interest in posting scenes online that make curiosity react and stir up … at risk, sometimes, that it turns against their candidates.

“Producers have a responsibility, especially in terms of assembly, Develops Valérie Rey-Robert. When you do not show all the reality of a scene, it can then lead to cyberbullying. »» To illustrate the question, the author evokes an extract from Frenchie shore (Ah! Production), posted on the X account of the show, in which we see a transgender candidate, Ouryel, punch in the cabin of a car – the editing suggesting that she gets angry Because another participant refused him a plan with several. Violently conspired on the networks, transphobic insults in support, Ouryel had to speak on his Tiktok account, explaining that his anger had nothing to do with it and that the sequence was actually much longer.

Whether cyberbullying is the result of too passionate fans or bloggers eager for buzz, the fact remains that the platforms are reluctant to fully tackle the question. X recently decided to remove one of its main functions against cyberbullying. On social networks, for apprentice musicians, the tomorrows are not likely to sing.

Contacted, production companies Ah! Production (Frenchie Shore, La Villa des Cœurs shattered), ITV Studios France (The Voice, four weddings for a honeymoon), Studio 89 Productions (Top chef, traitors, married at first glance) And his parent company M6 did not follow up.