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France Bans Words ‘Twitter’ And ‘Facebook’

Is it about Anglo-Saxon global dominance or a stupid administrative decision?


By Sama Team | June 8, 2011


French take sometimes unexpected if not incomprehensible decisions. Last example to date? Banning the words 'Twitter' and 'Facebook' from television and radio. For the law (according to a 1992 decree) mentioning services (such as Twitter or Facebook) by name is an act of advertising. Even though France's Conseil Superieur de l'Audiovisuel (CSA) disagrees.

TechCrunch writes about this ban:

Instead of referring to specific social networking pages, like saying "Find us at Facebook.com/Audi" or follow us on "Twitter.com/Pepsi" brands will have to skirt around the issue, saying things like "Find us on social networking sites!," or directing viewers to their community pages and hoping that viewers will just pick up on where to go.

On the HuffPost Tech, we can read:

Ex-pat blogger Matthew Fraser attributed the new restrictions to traditional French protectionism when it comes to the spread of American culture. "Facebook and Twitter are, of course, American social networks," he wrote. "In France, they are regarded -- at least implicitly -- as symbols of Anglo-Saxon global dominance -- along with Apple, MTV, McDonald's, Hollywood, Disneyland, and other cultural juggernauts. That there is a deeply-rooted animosity in the French psyche towards Anglo-Saxon cultural domination cannot be disputed."

We think this decision is not justified but we don't agree with Fraser's point of view on the reason of the ban. We don't think there is 'a deeply-rooted animosity in the French psyche towards Anglo-Saxon cultural domination cannot be disputed'. This is an administrative decision about indirect advertisem­ent which concerns all companies, not only American ones...

We agree it is absurd to prohibit direct reference to Twitter and Facebook but again, it has nothing to do with the symbols of Anglo-Saxon global dominance! What do you think?



#1


Sama Reader Thomas

Thomas

This ban is stupid but it is even more stupid to say that there is a deeply-rooted animosity in the French psyche towards Anglo-Saxon cultural domination and that it cannot be disputed :roll:

Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 5:31 pm

#2


Sama Reader ErickNO

ErickNO

I don’t understand the ban of these words but if the French law says so, it must be respected. Even if I don’t think it is wise because not mentioning Facebook or Twitter nowadays is very difficult…
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 5:46 pm

#3


Sama Reader Laurent

Laurent

You can mention those words in the news but not advertize for them by giving your page hosted by those websites.

I know it sounds weird :oops:

Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 5:49 pm

#4


Sama Reader Sephiroot

Sephiroot

Don’t get me wrong but if the French want to fight for the ‘integrity’ of their local language, they’re fighting a losing battle!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 6:01 pm

#5


Sama Reader Juliette

Juliette

It’s not about fighting for the integrity of our language and it’s not about a deeply-rooted animosity in the French psyche towards Anglo-Saxon cultural domination (??), it’s about an administrative decision!

I can’t believe some people think it’s because these companies are American they are banned. The Sama Team explains it perfectly :evil:

Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 7:18 pm

#6


Sama Reader Wanka

Wanka

I’ve read comments on the subject on other sites and maybe they should read this post first before they send their comment..
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 9:55 pm

#7


Sama Reader Josh

Josh

American mentality is different than the French, especially about TV
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 10:33 pm

#8


Sama Reader Meddi

Meddi

Well this is not a big deal unless some guys want to make it a big deal out of it. I don’t know where Matthew Fraser lives and who are his friends in France but I never heard about ‘deeply-rooted animosity’ against Americans here……….

-Meddi
Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 12:07 am

#9


Sama Reader BettyKohn

BettyKohn

It’s about hidden advertising, that’s it.
Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 2:14 am

#10


Sama Reader DarkFUY

DarkFUY

This French law is stupid

IMHO
Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 3:20 am

#11


Sama Reader Ponditi

Ponditi

Can they say ‘google’ on tv? ;)

Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 5:38 am

#12


Sama Reader Toby Miller

Toby Miller

Yes they can Ponditi.

Toby
Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 5:42 am

#13


Sama Reader Yull

Yull

This decree doesn’t make any sense
Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 8:09 am

#14


Sama Reader Witz

Witz

Each morning when I check the Sama Gazette I read something interesting. But this time it was unexpected! Me neither I don’t think FRench are against Americans but in France you can’t advertize for companies out of the advertizing thing. I think this is a big difference with American television but I think this law is stupid too :roll:

Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 11:26 am

#15


Sama Reader kemiko

kemiko

this ban on twitter and facebook is not good for their business
Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 7:53 pm



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