Cults in France predict the end of the world in 2012

Today's look at some of the stories in the French media: we focus on the growing influence of cults in France as the Parliament publishes a report on the matter. Also: will cannabis be legalised in France? And the country's biggest TV channel, TF1, is to get rid of its reality TV shows.

MEDIAWATCH

By James CREEDON

James Creedon

Presenter

30/09/2011 - MEDIA WATCH FRANCE

Who is the mysterious Mr. X?

MEDIAWATCH FRANCE, Fri. 30/9/2011: Why are there so many scandals at the moment for Nicolas Sarkozy? Also, who is the mysterious Mr. X who plans to run for the presidency? Could Foreign Minister Alain Juppé still harbour desires for the top job himself? And finally, a celebrity cop is suspected of having links with organised crime.

29/09/2011 - MEDIAWATCH FRANCE

French press sounds death knell for Sarkozy

MEDIAWATCH FRANCE, Thurs. 29/9/11: Four French newspapers and magazines headline on the end of Sarkozy's "reign" today as scandals continue to mount up for the French president and his entourage. Plus: the end of the death penalty, 30 years on and...reading Laura Baines' mind!

28/09/2011 - MEDIAWATCH

'Sociopathic' trader suspected of being a prankster

MEDIAWATCH, Tues. 27/9/2011: A BBC interview with a London-based trader drew gasps Monday when Alessio Rastani suggested he had been eagerly awaiting the onset of another major recession. Online, there was speculation that Rastani was a pranskter, since his declarations were so extreme as to border on satire.

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27/09/2011 - MEDIAWATCH FRANCE

France's new sports minister: a misogynist and a homophobe?

MEDIAWATCH FRANCE, Tues. 27/9/2011: France's new sports minister is under fire for controversial statements he's made about women in the past. Also, a storm in a tea cup over a photo of Martine Aubry, and French feminists call for the abolition of "Mademoiselle" (Miss) on official forms, saying women should not have to identify themselves on the basis of their marital status.

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26/09/2011 - MEDIAWATCH FRANCE

'Dr. House is not Mickey Mouse'

MEDIAWATCH FRANCE, Tues 26/9/2011: The moment Carla Bruni fell for "Nicolas the gardener"; Strauss-Kahn set to meet his French accuser; a French journalist is mocked for releasing an album with a song called "Dr. House is not Mickey Mouse" and a Brazilian not-so-murder mystery.