The President of the Territory of Belfort overwhelmed a journalist with sexist remarks by addressing her informally during a press conference. Eva Chibane did not let it go, publishing a courageous editorial on December 6, 2024 in her media Le Trois. Florian Bouquet apologized.
Company
From daily life to major issues, discover the subjects that make up local society, such as justice, education, health and family.
France Télévisions uses your email address to send you the “Society” newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Our privacy policy
Eva Chibane is used to this kind of configuration. A press conference given by a male elected official of a certain age – in this case the president of the departmental council of the Territoire de Belfort, Florian Bouquet. On the other side of the table and around her, three other men: her colleagues from the local Belfort press.
► “Because women love money”, Editorial from the media Le Trois
A 24-year-old journalist for the independent media Le Trois, she is also familiar with ordinary sexism. “Little borderline jokes” which she has always more or less let slip away. Until this one, perhaps too shocking to ignore.
In the piece, Florian Bouquet speaks on the sensitive issue of the Epona home, closed under his presidency in October 2024. After having mentioned the figure of €900,000, i.e. the sum allocated to the structure each year for the care of five children, the elected official takes the journalist to task by addressing her informally. “I'm sure that you – you're the only lady at the table – and I'm sure that you remembered the figure of 900,000 euros per year for five children! »
The young woman asks ” For what ? » “Because women love money”, he replies while the dictaphones are still playing. The reaction of the journalist is first of all the most common among women victims of public humiliation. “An embarrassed laugh” which will soon earn him the double penalty of guilt.
I didn't even notice that he had addressed me informally, I was stunned. I blamed myself for not having managed to put it back at the time.
Back at the editorial office, the journalist lands on her feet. The Meetoo movement has been there. Her colleagues support her. And the recording in her phone reminds her of what she could have otherwise downplayed. In an editorial published on December 6, 2024, she tells and questions (“Should we inform readers of this?”), her team behind her. “After having discussed it a lot within our editorial team, a limit has been reached for us and we are letting you know that.”.
Florian Bouquet writes to him three hours later: “If I hurt you, please accept my sincere apologies..” Regrets that he reiterates to France 3 this Sunday.
That's not the smartest sentence I've said. It was not my intention to hurt or demean. I am the first unfortunate one.
Florian Bouquet, president of the department council of the Territoire de Belfort
His remark on the venality of women? “A stupid shortcut that had no no added value for maintenance” according to him. After the publication of four articles on this subject, Florian Bouquet is “sad at the turn of events”. Concerning the use of familiarity, he responds: “I felt like I had my daughter in front of me.”.
Eva Chibane seeks neither revenge nor personal reparation. “The problem is not that I was injured”responds the journalist, who rather hopes to question the relationship between elected officials and all women, in the professional world and the intimate sphere. She wanted to tell this event “as a journalistic fact”for the others and the rest. Nowadays, “an elected official can no longer say that”.
Related News :