Quentin Bataillon, the president of the commission of inquiry on TNT, appeared on Franceinfo on Thursday, April 4th to address his comments about Yann Barthès on the show “Touche pas à mon poste” on C8. Bataillon expressed regret for his criticism of Barthès, stating that it was a mistake to do so during his appearance on the show. He acknowledged that it was not his place to make such comments and apologized for it.
During his appearance on the show hosted by Cyril Hanouna, Bataillon had criticized Barthès for his attitude during his questioning by the commission at the end of March. He described Barthès as being arrogant and refusing to answer questions, which led to Bataillon’s frustration. The incident sparked controversy and raised questions about Macron’s camp and their relationship with the Bolloré group.
Bataillon defended his decision to appear on “Touche pas à mon poste” despite the criticism he faced. He stated that he imposed a period of reserve on himself but felt that he had no obligation to refuse certain appearances. He also mentioned that he is impartial and does not favor any individual or group, and if invited by Yann Barthès to appear on “Quotidien”, he would gladly accept.
The day before Bataillon’s appearance on Franceinfo, the TF1 group, owner of TMC, expressed surprise at Bataillon’s comments, especially since the commission’s report had not been released yet. Yann Barthès responded to Bataillon’s criticism by questioning his consistency and independence, and accusing him of undermining the work of the commission and fueling hatred. Despite calls for Bataillon’s resignation, he rejected the idea and chose to remain in his position.
The controversy surrounding Bataillon’s comments on “Touche pas à mon poste” has raised concerns about political impartiality and the role of elected officials in the media. While some have called for Bataillon to step down from his position as president of the commission, he has defended his decision to appear on the show and maintain his role. The situation highlights the delicate balance between political engagement and maintaining neutrality in public office.
