Spitting on the code: French Women Journalists for a New Court of Empathy in Belle Époque France

In February of this year, the Libraries hosted Kathryne Corbin, Assistant Professor of French and Francophone Studies, for a Faculty Scholarship Talk.  Her talk “Spitting on the code: French Women Journalists for a New Court of Empathy in Belle Époque France” highlighted the revolutionary methods of reporting developed by French women journalists during the “long 19th century” in France.

Professor Corbin contrasted the methods of journalists such as Séverine, and later journalists from the all female newspaper La Fronde, with the cliché and sensationalized crime reporting found in the male-dominated daily newspapers of the time. She asserted that by breaking with traditional discourse on crime, female journalists were shining light on issues such as social justice, human rights, and the need for equal treatment of all French citizens.  

Through the examination of accused female criminals' coverage in the daily news, Professor Corbin addressed the stark differences in the media's portrayal of these women. Women journalists’ work during this time presented readers with a new perspective of the accused criminals. The empathy of female journalists in 19th century France made room for new ideas, and created space for women to be a part of judicial public debate. 

To watch this talk, click here.