“The independence of the editorial staff” will be strengthened, commits the CEO of TV5Monde which plans to integrate 7 African countries

As he leaves the French-speaking channel, CEO Yves Bigot details the project and the precautions surrounding the possible accession of seven African states, four of which pose a problem in terms of press freedom. “An agreement with the society of journalists” of the channel will be signed on Thursday, he announced.

Received on April 19 by the Minister of Culture, Yves Bigot was “informed that it would not be renewed” despite “an impeccable record”. “It’s part of the order of things”he reacts, and his resignation is in no way “linked to its non-renewal”except that the end of his mandate falls in November. “It’s not great for finding the next job”, he specifies, referring to the famous audiovisual “transfer window” which takes place in spring and summer. He will nevertheless support the “next strategic plan 2025-2028” written with its teams, by participating in the next general assembly, which will validate the accounts and the budget.

He will also appear as planned on June 25 in front of “the six governments that govern TV5Monde”in particular to respond to “a mission entrusted by Montreal”. It’s about “to explore with seven African states the possibility of them joining TV5Monde”. After the recent entry of Monaco in 2021, the French-speaking channel could therefore open its capital in Cameroon, Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Gabon, Congo and Ivory Coast. If we can fear the decision-making weight of some of these countries – Gabon, Congo-Brazzaville, the DRC and Cameroon – which are not very favorable to press freedom, Yves Bigot responds: “It’s a group membership”, “They will not have seven votes, but only one vote” to them all.

He justifies the choice of these countries by the already existing collaboration, and “daily”with their public channels, “on cinema film, television series, documentary and magazine productions”.

“In 2024, we can no longer just be the Francophonie of the North which addresses the Francophonie of the South.”

Yves Bigot, CEO of TV5Monde

at franceinfo

Yves Bigot is still preparing to sign tomorrow “an agreement with the society of TV5Monde journalists, precisely to re-guarantee a new editorial charter”who go “further strengthen this independence of the editorial staff, including the protection of our correspondents in these countries”.

Watch this interview on video: