PARIS As the fourth anniversary of Princess Diana's death in Paris approaches, French television viewers are to be shown a new documentary on her life that bolster her image as a victim -- but which also portrays her as a media manipulator.

The investigation into Diana's life, by British journalists Phil Craig and Janice Sutherland, gathers personal memories of friends and critics of the late princess of wales, who died aged 36 in a car accident in the French capital on August 31, 1997.

The reminiscences paint a picture of a young woman who was unfairly treated as she gained fame through marrying, then divorcing Prince Charles. It also describes a person addicted to the attention, and who did what she could to manage her image.

The documentary, produced by brian lapping whose other works include "Yugosavia: Suicide of a European nation", will be by the canal Plus Pay-TV network on Saturday, August 18 and 25.

In parallel to the documentary, a book by Phil Craig and Tim Clayton entitled "Diana: Story of a Princess" will be put on sale in France.

It describes her childhood, her relationship with Charles and her subsequent divorce, boyfriends, car accident and funeral.