Monday July 14, 2008

New parents Brad Pitt And Angelina Jolie helped a small French publication beat the world’s media to the news of the birth of their twins babies – by inviting a reporter to visit their hospital suite.

While TV shows, newspapers and magazines were forced to camp outside Nice, France’s Fondation Lenval hospital awaiting news about the birth, Nice-Matin journalist Jean-Francois Rouboud was handed the scoop from the couple themselves.

Rouboud was tipped off to the happy news and then given special access to the clinic and Jolie’s obstetrician Dr Michel Sussman.

Nice-Matin editor Olivier Biscaye says, “It was Brad Pitt who chose to give the scoop to Nice-Matin. He said to the doctor that the local media should be the first informed about the birth. We knew we would be the first in the world.

“Rouboud spoke to the doctor… We had all the details: the names, weight, one boy, one girl.”

And the proud editor insists it is his publication’s reputation that served to land him and his reporter the big scoop.

Biscaye adds, “Nice-Matin has always chosen not to play the game of paparazzi towards the celebrities who have chosen to live in the region. We respect them, and they do likewise.

“We let them have a peaceful life. This is why I think Brad and Angelina have chosen to make this gift to Nice-Matin.”