What is Le Crayon, this online media to which Emmanuel Macron gave an interview?

The online media has made itself known by relying on opinions and debates, which are often decided. The video interview with Emmanuel Macron is published on his YouTube channel

Founded in 2020 by four student entrepreneurs, Le Crayon has 700,000 subscribers across all social networks. “We are reconciling our generation with the media”, claims its website. Still little known to the general public, Le Crayon shares an interview with Emmanuel Macron, Tuesday June 4. A twenty-minute interview broadcast at 6 p.m. on his YouTube channel.

“Dare to unite”, This is the Crayon slogan. One of the preferred formats: the debate between personalities with radically opposed convictions. Among the latest examples: an X-rated actress and a priest, a feminist and a masculinist, a pro and an anti-hunter. “We aim to encourage reflection, develop critical thinking and cultivate curiosity among young people”, specifies the media. The target audience is between 18 and 34 years old.

The media has become known in particular for having invited numerous personalities committed to the extreme right: Julien Rochedy, former youth president of the National Front, Thaïs d’Escufon, former spokesperson for Génération Identitaire, Bruno Attal, former police officer trade unionist, Eric Zemmour, Florian Philippot… “Clear opinions every day”assume the founders of the media who advocate total freedom of expression and promote the culture of buzz. “The impartial and plural debateindicates one of the founders, Wallerand Moullé-Berteaux, on his LinkedIn account. With guests from all over society.”

Some of the videos shared by the media have actually sparked controversies. This is the case of an extract from an interview with Rima Hassan, published on Instagram last January before being quickly removed. The excerpt was reused incriminatingly by several media outlets and political figures without Le Crayon agreeing to broadcast the entire interview subsequently.

In October 2023, Le Crayon raised one million euros from investors including the billionaire Xavier Niel and the controversial Pierre-Edouard Stérin, a conservative businessman who recently positioned himself for the buyout of Marianne. In addition to the media Le Crayon, the group is also developing a communications agency specializing in social networks (Le Pinceau) and a press relations agency (Le Surligneur).

Emmanuel Macron’s interview was recorded on Friday June 1 at the Elysée. “Hundreds of broadcasts, billions of views, millions of subscribers later, we welcome the President of the Republic”, rejoices Wallerand Moullé-Berteaux on his LinkedIn account. “An interview on youth, on Europe, on democracy, on the generational divide and on many other subjects”, continues the founder. Before concluding : “It’s a real accomplishment for a bunch of crazy young people who believed in their dream.”