The Arcom, the audiovisual regulator, called on TV channels to strictly respect the rules of airtime before Emmanuel Macron’s interview on TF1 and France 2, three days before the European elections. The interview will focus on international events during the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and will be broadcast on LCI and Franceinfo. The Arcom warned that statements made during the interview may affect the airtime of the President’s party list, led by Valérie Hayer, and that other candidates must be given fair access to airtime in return. The regulator has written to TF1 and France Télévisions to ensure balanced airtime allocation before the campaign ends at midnight on Friday.
Criticism arose from opposition parties over the media presence of Macron and his Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal. They questioned the fairness of the President’s media dominance during the campaign. Opposition candidates, including François-Xavier Bellamy and Raphaël Glucksmann, expressed concerns over the executive branch saturating the media space with propaganda. Macron’s candidate for the European elections, Valérie Hayer, defended the President’s right to speak during such an important historical event, emphasizing the need for equitable access to airtime for all candidates.
The rules for the President’s public appearances during elections state that any speeches or expressions of support to a candidate must be counted as airtime linked to the election, with other lists entitled to fair access to the airwaves. This rule was enforced when Macron’s speech at the Sorbonne in April was counted towards the President’s party airtime. The Arcom decided that while the speech did not explicitly support Hayer’s list, it was still directly related to the election. TV and radio channels have been required to ensure fair airtime since April 15, taking into account past election results, polls, and campaign activity.
The Arcom’s actions have highlighted concerns about media coverage and fairness in the lead-up to the European elections. With the campaign ending soon, all candidates are seeking equal opportunities to promote their platforms and connect with voters. The tension between the ruling party and opposition groups underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced media environment during political campaigns. It remains to be seen how the airtime regulations will impact the election outcomes and the overall democratic process in France. In the future, similar issues may continue to arise as technology and media play an increasingly dominant role in shaping political discourse and public opinion.
