Jean-François Kahn, Founder of L'Evénement du Jeudi and Marianne, Dies at 86
The influential French journalist and political activist passes away, leaving behind a legacy of innovative media ventures.
Jean-François Kahn, a prominent French journalist and founder of influential publications such as L'Evénement du Jeudi and Marianne, passed away at the age of 86. The news was confirmed by his widow, producer Rachel Assouline-Kahn, on Thursday.
Kahn's death on Wednesday was first reported by the French magazine Le Point, which referred to him as 'a legend of journalism.' Over his career, Kahn was noted for supporting François Bayrou's presidential candidacies in 2007 and 2012. Kahn believed Bayrou was the leader France needed, although he never formally joined Bayrou's political party.
A seasoned journalist, Kahn was involved in multiple media outlets throughout his life, including L'Express, Le Monde, European radio station Europe 1, and others.
He was known for his debate skills and once famously challenged Jean-Marie Le Pen in 1984. The debate was noted for its civility despite ideological differences.
Kahn first transitioned into journalism following a brief career in teaching, which he described as a decision motivated by his aversion to the strictness of the educational field.
He began his career at Paris Presse, where he famously reported on the Algerian War and the Ben Barka affair, a scandal involving the kidnapping of a Moroccan opposition leader in Paris.
In 1984, Kahn founded L'Evénement du Jeudi, an innovative weekly magazine conceived to be owned by its readers, but the venture eventually folded.
He later launched Marianne in 1997, a publication that achieved critical success despite struggling with advertising revenue.
Kahn announced his retirement from journalism in 2011 following controversy over a comment relating to the Dominique Strauss-Kahn affair, for which he later apologized.
Beyond journalism, Kahn was an author of several books focused on political themes.
His latest work, "Ne m'appelez plus jamais gauche," was published by the Observatoire, and he reportedly just completed a manuscript on the resurgence of fascism.
Kahn's contributions to journalism and political discourse in France have been widely recognized, and his passing marks the end of a significant era in French media.
Kahn's death on Wednesday was first reported by the French magazine Le Point, which referred to him as 'a legend of journalism.' Over his career, Kahn was noted for supporting François Bayrou's presidential candidacies in 2007 and 2012. Kahn believed Bayrou was the leader France needed, although he never formally joined Bayrou's political party.
A seasoned journalist, Kahn was involved in multiple media outlets throughout his life, including L'Express, Le Monde, European radio station Europe 1, and others.
He was known for his debate skills and once famously challenged Jean-Marie Le Pen in 1984. The debate was noted for its civility despite ideological differences.
Kahn first transitioned into journalism following a brief career in teaching, which he described as a decision motivated by his aversion to the strictness of the educational field.
He began his career at Paris Presse, where he famously reported on the Algerian War and the Ben Barka affair, a scandal involving the kidnapping of a Moroccan opposition leader in Paris.
In 1984, Kahn founded L'Evénement du Jeudi, an innovative weekly magazine conceived to be owned by its readers, but the venture eventually folded.
He later launched Marianne in 1997, a publication that achieved critical success despite struggling with advertising revenue.
Kahn announced his retirement from journalism in 2011 following controversy over a comment relating to the Dominique Strauss-Kahn affair, for which he later apologized.
Beyond journalism, Kahn was an author of several books focused on political themes.
His latest work, "Ne m'appelez plus jamais gauche," was published by the Observatoire, and he reportedly just completed a manuscript on the resurgence of fascism.
Kahn's contributions to journalism and political discourse in France have been widely recognized, and his passing marks the end of a significant era in French media.