This sequence did not go unnoticed, Friday August 19 on LCI.
Sergueï Jirnov, a former secret agent a priori of the KGB, was invited on the plateau of the chain to speak about the conflict which opposes China to Taiwan. He then shot his eyes while saying “ni-hao” (Hello, editor’s note) while trying to imitate the “Chinese accent”, without being cropped by journalist Darius Rochebin.
Uninhibited racism shared on the Youtube channel @LCI… The speaker imitates the Chinese accent with a “nihao” while pulling his eyes. This is unacceptable and inadmissible! We demand the removal of this footage and a public apology.#StopAsianHate#stopracismpic.twitter.com/rmRhQd5YqH
— AJCF – Association of Young Chinese in France (@ajcf_fr) August 19, 2022
A scene that sparked outrage on social networks: “Uninhibited racism shared on the LCI Youtube channel… The speaker imitates the Chinese accent with a “nihao” while pulling his eyes. This is unacceptable and inadmissible! We request the withdrawal of this sequence and an apology public”, demanded the association of Young Chinese in France (AJCF) as well as other associations including SOS Racisme. Darius Rochebin wanted to apologize in full live just like the channel TF1.
In a sequence broadcast on @LCI on the crisis of #Taiwan, a columnist causes hilarity at the end of the program by pulling his eyes and imitating an “Asian” accent. We seize the@Arcom_en and ask the channel to condemn this unacceptable racist gesture! https://t.co/aMY9y7DoAQ
– SOS Racism – #NonAuRacisme (@SOS_Racisme) August 19, 2022
reaction of #LCI following Sergei Jirnov’s appearance on Darius Rochebin’s show. pic.twitter.com/sVZe1Vo91i
— LCI (@LCI) August 20, 2022
For his part, the principal concerned expressed himself on Twitter : “It seems that my little imitation of Michel Leeb’s sketch offended some sensitivities at the ACJF, which demanded an apology and the withdrawal of the video. The apologies, I present them. For the video, they will have to stop relay themselves. No one noticed before!”. Then in another message, he finally apologized: “To remove any ambiguity, I offer my sincere apologies for the sequence of August 15 on LCI which may have offended the Chinese community”.
It seems that my little imitation of Michel Leeb’s sketch offended some sensibilities at @ajcf_en which demands an apology and removal of the video. Apologies, I offer them. For the video, they will have to stop relaying it themselves. Nobody noticed it before! https://t.co/UzDGnog1ge
— Sergei Jirnov, ex-KGB/SVR spy, consultant (@SergueiJirnov) August 19, 2022
See also: “He’s not a good guy”: Michel Drucker leaves France 2, competition with Laurent Delahousse relaunched?
Etienne-Hadrien Feyrandrier