Quentin Bataillon, a member of the majority party and president of the committee investigating digital terrestrial television (DTT) frequencies, appeared on the television show “Touche pas à mon poste” (TPMP) hosted by Cyril Hanouna to discuss the findings of his committee’s work. His appearance on the show drew criticism from the President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, who emphasized the importance of discretion and impartiality for members of investigative committees until their findings are made public. Bataillon’s comments about another TV presenter, Yann Barthès, during the show also sparked controversy.
During his appearance on TPMP, Bataillon attempted to educate viewers about the work of his committee, which was launched by members of the Left Front in the fall of 2023 to investigate the allocation of TNT frequencies, including those of C8 and CNews. Bataillon expressed the importance of not engaging in witch hunts against TV personalities and journalists and stressed the need to make recommendations on the framework for choosing the recipients of broadcasting frequencies. Despite tensions with the report’s author, Aurélien Saintoul, during their hearings, Bataillon stated that he maintained cordial relations with him throughout the process.
Criticism of Bataillon’s appearance on TPMP came from various political figures, including the First Secretary of the Socialist Party Olivier Faure, who accused Bataillon of undermining the credibility of the National Assembly. Manuel Bompard, the national coordinator of the Left Front, also called for Bataillon’s resignation from the committee presidency, claiming that he was protecting Hanouna, who had previously faced sanctions from the regulatory body. Bataillon defended his actions, stating that he had tried to maintain a respectful relationship with Saintoul and avoid personal attacks during the investigation.
Aurélien Saintoul, the report’s author, sarcastically thanked Bataillon for his “experimental approach” in appearing on TPMP and questioned the appropriateness of criticizing individuals like Vincent Bolloré on the show without facing backlash from Hanouna. This reference was made in relation to an incident where a LFI deputy was insulted on the show, leading to a significant fine for the network. The tension between Bataillon and Saintoul continued to be a point of discussion throughout the investigation, with differing opinions on the handling of the committee’s work and public appearances.
The controversy surrounding Bataillon’s appearance on TPMP and his comments about other TV personalities highlighted concerns about the conduct of members of investigative committees and their interactions with the media. The need for transparency, integrity, and impartiality in such committees was emphasized by political figures, with calls for Bataillon’s resignation and concerns about the impact of personal biases on the credibility of the investigation. Moving forward, the focus remains on the findings of the committee and the recommendations that will be made regarding the allocation of TNT frequencies for broadcasting channels.
