Daniel Schneidermann
French journalist who analyzed televised media and founded Arrêt sur images.
He is known for his weekly columns in *Le Monde* and later *Libération*, and for creating and hosting the television program *Arrêt sur images* (Freeze-Frame), which aimed to decode television images and talk. The show was canceled by France 5 in 2007, leading to the creation of a subscription-based video channel of the same name.
- field
- Journalism, media criticism
- nationality
- French
- known_for
- Television criticism, creator of Arrêt sur images
Lore & Background
The show aimed to decode television's images and talk with the help of diverse columnists and journalists, and used the Internet for self-criticism, including a monthly 'forum-master' who questioned Schneidermann about viewer debates.
Reader's Guide
Daniel Schneidermann's significance lies in his sustained critique of televised media and his role in pioneering a form of television criticism that engaged directly with viewers through the Internet. His later move to *Libération* and the continuation of *Arrêt sur images* as a subscription-based channel reflect his adaptability in a changing media landscape. His work remains a reference point for discussions on media transparency and the role of the critic.
Did You Know?
- His program *Arrêt sur images* premiered on France 5 in 1995, co-hosted initially with Pascale Clark.
- The show used a monthly 'forum-master' to question Schneidermann about viewer debates.
- Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu criticized the show, arguing that television could not be criticized on television.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Daniel Schneidermann?
He is a French journalist born in Paris in 1958 who specializes in critically dissecting how television presents news and images to viewers. He is best recognized for founding the media-criticism program Arrêt sur images.
What is Arrêt sur images?
Arrêt sur images is a television program created and hosted by Schneidermann that breaks down the visual and verbal techniques used in broadcast journalism. The show originally aired on France 5 before being canceled in 2007, after which it continued as a subscription-based video channel.
Where did Schneidermann publish his written columns?
He contributed regular weekly columns to two major French newspapers, first Le Monde and later Libération. These pieces centered on his analysis of how television shapes public perception.
What happened when France 5 dropped Arrêt sur images?
In 2007, France 5 decided to cancel the program, which prompted Schneidermann to launch an independent, subscription-funded video platform under the same name. This move allowed the show to keep reaching audiences outside traditional broadcast television.
Why is Daniel Schneidermann considered important in French media?
He is widely regarded as a pioneer in French television criticism, having dedicated his career to teaching viewers how to decode the framing and rhetoric of broadcast news. His work helped establish media literacy as a legitimate journalistic discipline in France.
More in Journalists And Media Personalities 1-20
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record