French public broadcaster under fire as right sets up parliamentary inquiry
The French public broadcaster is at the center of a political storm as a parliamentary inquiry examines the "neutrality, operations, and funding" of state TV and radio, with the media playing a significant role ahead of the 2027 presidential election. This inquiry comes amidst a backdrop of rising tensions over public broadcasting in Europe, with Trump suing the BBC for up to $10 billion over cuts to a January 6th speech, and Italian public broadcaster unions criticizing Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government for excessive control.
The right-wing UDR party, an ally of Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN), initiated the inquiry in response to far-right claims that public TV and radio exhibit bias against them. Le Pen, whose party is expected to reach the final round of the presidential race, has expressed concerns about the "clear lack of neutrality" in public service broadcasting and has proposed privatization.
The French parliamentary inquiry, set to conclude in March, coincides with a broader debate on public broadcasting in Europe. The inquiry is particularly significant in light of the growing influence of the private media empire owned by Vincent Bolloré, a Catholic conservative industrialist. Critics argue that Bolloré's media empire, including CNews, is providing a platform for reactionary voices and contributing to the rise of the far right. CNews is the most-watched news channel on TV and is highly critical of the state broadcaster.
The parliamentary commission was established following the secret filming of two journalists having coffee with Socialist party officials. A right-wing magazine released the video clip in September, alleging that the journalists were colluding with the left to harm the right. The journalists, Patrick Cohen and Thomas Legrand, defended their actions, stating that having coffee with politicians is a standard part of their job. They have filed a legal complaint for invasion of privacy.
During the inquiry, Cohen highlighted the extensive coverage of the video clip on CNews, appearing in 853 news sequences over a two-week period. He described it as a "propaganda operation" aimed at denigrating and destroying the public service he represents. Legrand, in his testimony, referred to France's entry into a "Trumpist era."
The parliamentary hearings have been intense, with Socialist MP Ayda Hadizadeh criticizing the inquiry as a "tribunal" orchestrated by politicians seeking to "eliminate public broadcasting." Anne Sicard, a far-right RN MP, accused the state broadcaster of treating her party like an "enemy."
Jérémie Patrier-Leitus, from the center-right Horizons party, who is leading the proceedings, emphasized that the inquiry is not "against" state TV and radio. The public broadcaster, France Télévisions, comprising four national and 24 regional channels, is a key financier of films, dramas, and documentaries and is the top French media outlet. Radio France, with its national and local stations, dominates podcasting.
French President Emmanuel Macron has a history of criticizing the public broadcaster and abolished the TV license fee, although a long-term funding model remains undecided. In December, Macron began distancing himself from Bolloré's CNews, with the Élysée Palace publishing a social media video criticizing the channel for "disinformation" regarding Macron's support for media certification.
Alexis Lévrier, a media historian at the University of Reims, noted that public broadcasting in Europe is facing attacks aimed at weakening its role as a counterpower. He emphasized the unique situation in France, where Bolloré's political-media empire holds unprecedented influence. According to Lévrier, this group is now at the heart of the media landscape and has a clear agenda, making the public broadcaster a primary target.
Bolloré, in a senate hearing in 2022, denied any political or ideological interventionism. Adèle Van Reeth, the head of the state radio station France Inter, expressed her belief that the preservation of French public broadcasting is essential for a healthy democracy.
