Jean-François Kahn, Visionary of the Press, Leaves Us

Jean-François Kahn in the middle of a speech

Jean-François Kahn, who passed away on January 22, 2025, established himself as one of the major figures in French journalism. Founder of two famous weeklies, L’Événement du jeudi and Marianne, he influenced several generations with his incisive style, innovative ideas, and strong stances. His career, spanning over 60 years, was also marked by controversies, revealing the complexity of a man passionate about debate.

A Path Shaped by Commitment and Innovation

Born on June 12, 1938, in Viroflay, Jean-François Kahn was the son of the philosopher Jean Kahn-Dessertenne. He grew up in an intellectual environment, deeply affected by his father’s suicide in 1970. The eldest of two remarkable brothers — the chemist Olivier Kahn and the geneticist Axel Kahn — he was early on immersed in a demanding culture, developing a strong taste for writing and reflection.

After modest beginnings as a laborer in a printing house, he turned to journalism in the late 1950s. His first steps were at Paris Presse, where he covered the Algerian War. He quickly joined prestigious editorial teams such as Le Monde and L’Express, specializing in in-depth investigations. In 1966, he co-authored with Jacques Derogy a groundbreaking investigation on the Ben Barka affair, marking one of his first major media successes.

During the 1970s, Jean-François Kahn also made a name for himself on radio and television. On France Inter, he notably hosted Avec tambour et trompette, a program dedicated to French songs and their cultural dimension. However, it was in the written press that he left the most lasting mark of his career.

The Founder of Iconic Newspapers

In 1984, Jean-François Kahn created L’Événement du jeudi, a weekly with a forward-thinking tone, characterized by striking covers and a centrist political stance. Success quickly followed, with a circulation reaching 170,000 copies weekly in 1988. The newspaper established itself as a space for critical reflection, challenging the prevailing conformism and often taking on the powerful.

Buoyed by this success, he launched Marianne in 1997, another weekly aimed at stimulating public debate and challenging conventional ideas. Jean-François Kahn wanted it to be a publication "neither right nor left," where all opinions could confront each other. Sold at more than 200,000 copies per week, Marianne became one of the pillars of the French media landscape.

These creations illustrate his entrepreneurial ingenuity: he managed to combine investigative journalism, impactful editorials, and rigorous analyses. His strength lay in his ability to reach a broad readership while maintaining a high level of editorial demand. This is one of the major legacies he leaves to the press.

The Notable Controversies of His Career

Jean-François Kahn never shied away from controversies, as his taste for debate and provocation was keen. Among the most memorable episodes was his comment on the Dominique Strauss-Kahn affair in 2011. On France Culture, he referred to a "troussage de domestique" to describe the actions attributed to the former IMF director, thereby downplaying the seriousness of the accusations. A media shockwave ensued. Under heavy criticism, he eventually issued a public apology, but this misstep deeply altered his image and prompted him to distance himself from journalism.

Other controversies marked his career: his diatribes against "sixty-eight leftism," his support for the "yes" vote in the 2005 referendum on the European Constitution, accompanied by sharp criticism of the media treatment of the "no" supporters… His outspokenness, sometimes seen as an asset, also earned him accusations of going astray.

A Man of Paradoxes and Passions

Despite these controversies, Jean-François Kahn remains respected for his ability to navigate between intellectual and mainstream audiences. A great music lover, he considered songs as a reflection of social aspirations and struggles. His insatiable curiosity drove him to tackle a multitude of subjects, from politics to culture, including the history of ideas.

His book M, la maudite well illustrates his unique temperament: in 700 pages, he deciphers the history and symbolism of the letter M, which he sees as a mirror of human ambiguities. This book testifies to his erudition, creativity, and the audacity that never left him.

Necessary Clarifications: Rachel Khan and Rachel Kahn

Jean-François Kahn’s name has often been mistakenly associated with two media personalities sharing a similar surname. The producer Rachel Kahn, known for her work on the show Ce soir (ou jamais !) presented by Frédéric Taddeï, and the writer Rachel Khan, born in 1976 in Tours, are in fact not related to the journalist. This confusion, although recurrent, deserves to be clarified to preserve the distinct identity of each of these two women.

A Lasting Memory

JFK, as he was sometimes called, profoundly marked the French press with his audacity, critical sense, and ability to innovate. François Bayrou, with whom he briefly collaborated in the political field, hailed him as "a giant and a rare man." His two creations, L’Événement du jeudi and Marianne, still embody today a certain ideal of freedom of expression and challenge to uniform thinking. The famous Minister of Culture Rachida Dati praises "the bold press man and passionate republican," recalling how much "his immense culture and love for Victor Hugo" will be missed in the French intellectual landscape.

Despite his missteps and contradictions, Jean-François Kahn remains the emblem of committed journalism, always ready to question established certainties. His death closes the chapter of an era when the written press was at the forefront of major societal debates. He leaves behind a career so vast that it perfectly reflects a life dedicated to investigation and the freedom to inform.

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