Today on page 9 of Libération, in small print, a few pieces of news, like thinly smearing margarine on a toast:
- Ethnic discrimination remains a reality throughout the European Union, in health care, education, employment and housing.
- Zebu thieves are fighting against the Malagasy army.
- 100. That’s the number of lashes given to a man and woman yesterday in Timbuktu in Mali. Their crime? They had a child out of wedlock.
- Afghanistan. A suicide bomber killed 21 people, including three NATO soldiers.
- Syria. Another round of violence killed 58 people and 29 soldiers yesterday.
- Turkey. Four Kurd rebels were killed yesterday by the Turkish army.
These “dispatches” only take up a quarter of a page. They leave me feeling helpless. Journalists and photojournalists share the idea, consciously and unconsciously, that their profession shares stories from the present in order to achieve a better future. After thirty-five years of doing this, I’m really starting to doubt it. You young photographers on the ground, I admire you. You give me hope. If I leave this week’s photos without comment, it’s because I hope next week will be better.
A good week to you all.

Michel Philippot