TF1 “firmly supports” Ruth Elkrief and denounces the “odious invectives” of Jean-Luc Mélenchon

The leader of La France insoumise called the columnist a “manipulator” and a “fanatic” on the X network on Sunday, following a tense interview between the journalist and LFI deputy Manuel Bompard.

The TF1 group supported “firmly” its journalist Ruth Elkrief, in a message published on the network X, Sunday December 3, after controversial remarks from the leader of La France insoumise, Jean-Luc Mélenchon. She is, according to the group, a victim of“odious invectives and inappropriate insinuations”.

In reaction to tense exchanges on LCI on Sunday between Ruth Elkrief and LFI coordinator Manuel Bompard, particularly on the situation in the Middle East, Jean-Luc Mélenchon attacked the journalist by name on the social network X: “Ruth Elkrief. Manipulative. If we don’t insult Muslims, this fanatic will be outraged”, he wrote. And to continue: “What a shame! Bravo Manuel Bompard for the response. Elkrief reduces all political life to his contempt for Muslims”.

In reaction to the TF1 press release, Jean-Luc Mélenchon reacted again, affirming that the group “is wrong to support the journalism of accusations and obsessive invectives against someone absent from the set who cannot respond”.

Ruth Elkrief under police protection

The former presidential candidate’s comments provoked reactions in the journalistic community. “Patrick Cohen and Ruth Elkrief targeted this week by the far right for one, the far left of JL Melenchon for the other… Who will be surprised? Shame on them”commented the France Inter editorialist and deputy director of the editorial team EchoesDominique Seux, in reference to the indictment of France Télé journalist Patrick Cohen during an ultra-right rally.

“P. Cohen targeted by the far right, R. Elkrief by the far left. Journalists who we seek to intimidate because they are Jewish? They are therefore not objective? Danger! We must collectively denounce these practices which threaten freedom of information & democracy”for her part wrote the journalist from RMC and BFM, Apolline de Malherbe. “Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s attack on Ruth Elkrief is unacceptable”also estimated CNews journalist Pascal Praud, on X. “Every journalist in France should condemn” these words “against one of our most remarkable sisters”.

The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, announced Monday morning on BFMTV that he had requested to place “the editorialist under police protection”, “given the threats from Mr. Mélenchon and others, since it is an unleashing of hatred on the internet”. For his part, government spokesperson Olivier Véran described Monday as“despicable attack” the statement of Jean-Luc Mélenchon. “Calling Ruth Elkrief a fanatic is extremely serious”estimated Olivier Véran on RTL.