The Society of Journalists (SDJ) expresses their disappointment with the hasty push for the reform of public broadcasting in France, which has been carried out without any consultation with the affected editorial teams. The proposed law includes the creation of a new entity, “France Médias,” that would merge France Télévisions, Radio France, and the National Audiovisual Institute (INA) by 2026. Concerns have been raised about the differences in markets, practices, and production models of public television and radio, as well as the unequal budgets between the organizations. There are fears that this forced merger could weaken Radio France and lead to a decrease in information diversity.
The argument for the merger is that “together, you will be stronger,” but the SDJ disagrees, believing that no one at Radio France or France Télévisions stands to benefit from this union. The employees at Radio France are particularly concerned about the potential marginalization of radio media within a unified budget. Another concern is the impact on France Médias Monde, comprising Radio France Internationale, France 24, and Monte Carlo Doualiya, which serve international audiences and provide a unique perspective in regions where media freedom is under threat. The merging of these entities could lead to a loss of diverse information offerings.
Past experiences with mergers in the French media landscape have shown a decrease in editorial diversity. For example, the fusion of France 2 and France 3 led to the disappearance of distinct national news programs on France 3, despite their popularity. The SDJ believes that merging the channels into a single entity would inevitably lead to a reduction in information diversity, as content for radio and television require different approaches and cannot simply be combined. This could result in a homogenization of news content and a loss of unique perspectives.
The SDJ emphasizes the importance of maintaining diverse and independent news sources, especially given the global rise in attacks on press freedom and the spread of disinformation. They argue that the forced merger of public broadcasting organizations would threaten the ability to provide a wide range of information to audiences, particularly through radio and international media outlets. The SDJ expresses concern that the rushed reform process and lack of consultation with journalists could have negative consequences for the quality and diversity of news and information in France.
In conclusion, the SDJ calls for a more inclusive and transparent approach to the reform of public broadcasting in France, ensuring that the concerns and perspectives of journalists and editorial teams are taken into account. They warn against the potential negative impact of a forced merger on information diversity and quality, citing past examples of mergers leading to a decrease in editorial offerings. The SDJ advocates for the preservation of independent and diverse news sources, particularly in light of the challenges facing media freedom globally.
