Last month's release of US diplomatic cables by Wikileaks raised some eyebrows in France. Le Monde, one of the selected press outlets in the latest syndication, posed as the honest, bustling broker, in the manner of the Guardian. But Le Figaro (right of centre) got on its high horse to denounce the leaks and even Libération (left of centre) saddled up the donkey. What administration, Laurent Joffrin, the editor of Libé, asked, could possibly conduct its business under round-the-clock scrutiny by the public? A state 'has the right to protect its defence secrets' and to 'hold discussions behind closed doors with its allies or enemies'. Many cross-channel differences that remain the stuff of platitudes are disappearing, but there's a clue here to one that hasn't gone away.

LRB 16 December 2010 | PDF Download