The photograph of French President Francois Hollande was later 'spiked' after critics said it made the head of state look 'simple-minded' <\/p>\n
Francois Hollande has become embroiled in a humiliating debate after a French press agency withdrew an unflattering photograph it had released of the national president, as he attempted to secure support for strikes against Syria. <\/p>\n
The photograph, taken at a school in Denain, northern France, made the president resemble a village idiot or clown, with an expression of \"stupefaction\" in his eyes, according to news magazine Le Point. <\/p>\n
Online news outlet Rue 89 said the photograph, published by Agence-France Presse, made Hollande look simple-minded. <\/p>\n
The picture was taken by AFP staff photographer Denis Charlet, and was wired to the agency's subscribers around the world, including most major newspapers and TV networks. <\/p>\n
It was one of a series of images showing Hollande sitting at a teacher's desk during a visit to the school to mark the beginning of the academic year. <\/p>\n
The other photos were said to depict more gravitas. <\/p>\n
But hours later AFP sent out a message saying it had decided to withdraw the photograph due to an \"editorial issue\". A red cross was superimposed over the picture, which was marked: \"Mandatory Kill\". <\/p>\n
Withdrawn on president's instruction? <\/p>\n
Critics accused the agency of self-censorship, saying AFP may have wished to avoid losing Hollande's goodwill, particularly as it depends largely on the French state to stay in business. <\/p>\n
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The rest is here: The photograph of French President Francois Hollande was later 'spiked' after critics said it made the head of state look 'simple-minded' Francois Hollande has become embroiled in a humiliating debate after a French press agency withdrew an unflattering photograph it had released of the national president, as he attempted to secure support for strikes against Syria. The photograph, taken at a school in Denain, northern France, made the president resemble a village idiot or clown, with an expression of \"stupefaction\" in his eyes, according to news magazine Le Point. Continue reading
\nFrancois Hollande 'Village Idiot' Snap Sparks Censorship Row in France<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"