A Libé front page: is this politics?
We rarely talk politics here, and this article is no exception. We're just going to pause on the imagery of politics.
Here is Libé's front page dated 22/11/2016, a crude blend of François Fillon's portrait and Margaret Thatcher's hairstyle. I'm neither for nor against either figure, nor for or against Libération. But still, in a socio-political context of disengagement from political life, is it really civic-minded of a major daily to use such a crude montage?
Photoshop to Libé's rescue
Libé's graphic designers are certainly not using Photoshop CC2017, nor even 2010s design standards — it feels like a return to the 1990s, back when photomorphing was at its peak. Beyond the technique itself, it's the impact of such a technique that's questionable. Calling out François Fillon's platform doesn't shock me; drawing parallels with the Iron Lady's either — but doing it this way: no! How do you get French voters to engage with political life when national players use such grotesque tricks?