parliamentarians defend an RCI journalist “dismissed” from her station after an interview with Jordan Bardella

Five elected officials from Guadeloupe are demanding on Saturday December 9 the “urgent” reinstatement of Barbara Olivier-Zandronis, removed from her radio station after tense exchanges with the president of the National Rally on Friday. The journalist’s employer assures that she “remains an integral part of the editorial staff”.

Five parliamentarians published a letter on Saturday, December 9 in support of RCI Guadeloupe radio journalist Barbara Olivier-Zandronis, who was “removed from the antenna”, they denounce, after an interview with the president of the National Rally (RN), Jordan Bardella, on Friday, in the 1 p.m. newspaper, during a visit to the MEP’s island.

Among the signatories, the deputies of Guadeloupe Elie Califer (PS), Max Mathiasin (Liot) and Olivier Serva (Liot), as well as the senators of Guadeloupe Solanges Nadille (RDPI) and Victorin Lurel (PS), also former minister of Overseas sea.

This interview was an opportunity for the journalist to question her guest in complete impartiality, without the complacency too often seen in certain national media.

The five elected officials of Guadeloupe

in their open letter

The parliamentarians then express their “indignation”after this removal of the antenna. “It is deeply disturbing to note that Barbara Olivier-Zandronis’ commitment to fair information and her desire to exercise her profession conscientiously have been punished in this way, when it is Mr. Bardella who should have been sanctioned “still deplore the deputies and senators.

They consider that the journalist exercised “his duty […] by highlighting the positions and ideas of this far-right party”. The five elected officials then ask for the restoration “urgent” by Barbara Olivier-Zandronis and that she “can continue to practice their profession with complete peace of mind”. They bring their “unwavering support” to the journalist.

Outrage by Jean-Luc Mélenchon

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, strongly criticized after the publication of a message on “manipulative”also spoke. “In Guadeloupe, Barbara Olivier-Zandronis is fired from the RCI antenna after being accused by Jordan Bardella. The media pack that attacked me for a tweet under the pretext of defending the profession remains silent. This indignation at variable geometry is the admission of a nauseating drift”denounces the founder of La France insoumise on X.

In a press release, the RCI group wished to clarify the situation. “A media is not a space where a journalist gives his opinion”, “the role of a journalist [….] is to give the floor and work on the interviews. The decision to remove Barbara Olivier-Zandronis from the presentation of the 1 p.m. news “is a business decision”explains the group, “motivated by our commitment to the continuous improvement of our media and the professional development of our journalists.”

RCI management emphasizes that Barbara Olivier-Zandronis “was not laid off or excluded from the broadcast. She remains an integral part of the editorial staff.” The group also says it refuses “any complacency, regardless of external relationships and pressures. We consider any interference in our business unacceptable.” And adds to oppose “any exploitation of its actions for political purposes”.