“Info and you”: franceinfo and West France join forces and launch a major consultation. Together, they open the debate with citizens on information, journalism and how it works. What are the expectations of French people? What are the media practices? First step, the launch of an online consultation, Tuesday April 2. Give your opinion on franceinfo.fr. Let us know your thoughts, and tell us about your expectations.
The information is undermined. Opinion surveys follow one another and all highlight the growing distrust towards journalists and the media, the risk of confusion between information and opinion, exposure to disinformation… Added to this is a great information fatigue. Yet, paradoxically, citizens express their essential need to be informed. Faced with this observation, it is essential for traditional media to recreate links and dialogue with those who listen to them, watch them or read them.
With “L’info et vous”, franceinfo is joining forces with Ouest-France to create an opportunity for free and open exchange with the general public on information, journalism and its operations. What are their expectations ? What are our practices? Before an evening of exchanges and debates between the general public and information professionals in Rennes (Les Champs Libres), Thursday May 16 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., cross-interview with Jean-Philippe Baille, director of franceinfo, and François-Xavier Lefranc, chairman of the management board ofWest France.
franceinfo: A distrust of the French persists towards the media and journalists, this is what emerges from the latest studies: how can the media stop this phenomenon?
Jean-Philippe Baille: By returning to the fundamentals of our profession. Information is firstly verified facts and then put into perspective, which implies nuance and distancing. But these two notions have been forgotten by a certain number of us to gain an audience or to impose a vision on society. Result: the public is confused. He no longer knows who to trust, who is talking to him and why this or that news story keeps popping up in the media. Hence the need for us, the media, to explain how we work, how we verify information… This is what we want to do with “Info and you”: recreate a link with the public and demonstrate transparency.
François-Xavier Lefranc: Trust is earned. Our profession must question itself. Let us look closely at the reasons for this distrust, and let us be very attentive and open to the questions that concern citizens. Our credibility requires great rigor in verifying information. And we must actually explain how we work. Distrust is also due to the digital world. The networks, which are wrongly called “social” are not information media; they ignore the rules of law and ethics, and are insufficiently regulated. These are real lawless zones. To fight against disinformation, the solution lies in the rigor of journalists.
franceinfo and West France are launching “L’info et vous”, a citizen consultation on the media, information, journalism, in partnership with France Bleu Armorique… What will it be used for?
Jean-Philippe Baille: We need to hear what we are accused of. Journalists tend to stay in their bubble too much. But our job is to make the link between the public and information. Let’s not forget the primary meaning of the word media. If this link is broken, if mistrust takes over trust, it is democracy that is in danger. With this consultation, we are questioning the French about their relationship to information, their expectations… The restitution of the answers will be made on May 16, during an evening of dialogue that we will hold in Rennes with West France and will nourish the exchanges that we – presenters, reporters, editorial managers – will have with the general public.
François-Xavier Lefranc: We are very happy to partner with franceinfo. Our two media defend quality information and share the same concern for rigor. Together, we are launching this citizen consultation as part of an ongoing conversation with our audiences. We need the critical eye of readers and listeners. We will open this dialogue during a debate evening on May 16, where our editorial staff and citizens will be able to discuss without taboo. We have a mission: to inform, of course, but also to connect citizens to advance the common good while respecting the dignity of each person. We are facilitators of democratic debate.
Do you consider that freedom of information is threatened in France today?
Jean-Philippe Baille: Clearly, I think so, because she is attacked from all sides. Pressure groups, political figures, and even states, no longer hesitate to use all the techniques in their possession to misinform. We see it with the deep fakes which wreak havoc on the public. And if trust is no longer there, freedom of information is threatened. Because there will always be the temptation to control the media, to control them more and we can imagine all the excesses. It is therefore up to the profession to take charge and self-regulate to prevent others from wanting to do so tomorrow.
François-Xavier Lefranc: In France, the freedom to inform exists, this freedom was regulated by the law of 1881. It is a major law which allowed the development of free media and which protected citizens from possible excesses of the media. It must be recognized that this law was a great law, but freedom of the press is a permanent battle. It can quickly be weakened. We must all, journalists and citizens, be committed to protecting it.
At a time of media concentration, how can media independence be guaranteed?
Jean-Philippe Baille: By restoring trust with the public! If the French have confidence in the work of the editorial staff then any attempt to put them under supervision will be in vain. Because sales or audience successes will be there and those who would like to control the information will think twice before changing the editorial lines, because there are strong economic issues behind it. Media concentration may appear to be a risk for pluralism, but it is also a shield against disinformation. To fight against fake news and have the means to invest on social networks, to go into the field to verify the facts, you have to be powerful. And then let’s not forget that there is a public audiovisual service in France. It is one of the guarantors of this independence, hence the need to ensure its financing in a sustainable manner so that it can carry out its mission without being dependent on anyone.
François-Xavier Lefranc: Our solution, to West France, is the associative model. We are not owned by private shareholders. Since 1990, the one and only owner of Ouest-France has been a non-profit association under the 1901 law, the Association for the Support of the Principles of Humanist Democracy. This exceptional status guarantees the independence of the title. No one can buy out an association. But to maintain this independence, we must be virtuous so as not to lose money. We therefore have high requirements in terms of management and performance.
“Info and you”, in partnership with France Bleu Armorique. A consultation West France and franceinfo.