1970s Claude Malhuret was elected as the new president of Médecins Sans Frontières in 1977, and soon after debates began over the future of the organisation. In particular, the concept of témoignage ("witnessing"), which refers to speaking out about the suffering that one sees as opposed to remaining silent, was being opposed or played down by Malhuret and his supporters. Malhuret thought MSF should avoid criticism of the governments of countries in which they were working, while Kouchner believed that documenting and broadcasting the suffering in a country was the most effective way to solve a problem.
1970s Claude Malhuret was elected as the new president of Médecins Sans Frontières in 1977 and soon after debates began over the future of the organisation In particular the concept of témoignage ("witnessing") which refers to speaking out about the suffering that one sees as opposed to remaining silent was being opposed or played down by Malhuret and his supporters Malhuret thought MSF should avoid criticism of the governments of countries in which they were working while Kouchner believed that documenting and broadcasting the suffering in a country was the most effective way to solve a problem