In big cities, paper presses have been available at newsstands for ages. The people who work there work almost as a public service. In this difficult but essential profession, some compete when others fight to keep a decent income.
In the big cities and in Paris newsstands are part of our daily environment. In the capital they are nevertheless in danger of disappearing, the business is no longer profitable: a lot of work, income deemed insufficient, retirements are not compensated.
In Paris, in the 12th arrondissement, rue St Antoine, a kiosk was forced to close overnight because of the installation of a "competitor" beside it. This decision to install a new kiosk and close the old one was taken by the Nouvelles Messageries de la Presse Parisienne and the Paris City Hall. Testimonies of the newspaper merchant, Mr. Bagdali and his loyal customers who consider the measure unfair given the seniority of this kiosk in the neighborhood.
Fernande and Roger are retiring at the end of the year. Thus, the newsstand they had been holding for 58 years on the square of the Saint Lazare station will close with their departure. Interview with 77-year-old Fernande and 84-year-old Roger.
Dans les grandes villes et à Paris, les kiosques à journaux font partie de notre environnement quotidien. Dans la capitale, ils risquent malgré tout de disparaître car le métier ne fait plus recette : beaucoup de travail, des revenus jugés insuffisants, des départs à la retraite difficiles.