the public broadcasting reform project divides the majority

The ambition to bring the two entities together does not convince even the ranks of the majority. The proposed public broadcasting merger law is supposed to be debated in the National Assembly on Thursday May 23 and Friday May 24, if the parliamentary calendar allows it. On this occasion, a large-scale social movement will involve Radio France and France Télévisions, whose unions are opposed to this reform, as are some of the MoDem and Renaissance parliamentarians.

The MoDem deputies are waiting for the debates before deciding. Aude Luquet summarizes the position of her group: “Holding yes, but not merger”. The joint public broadcasting holding company, which will include, among others, Radio France and France Télévisions, is planned for 2025, before a merger in 2026. But MoDem MP Erwan Balanant warns against a hasty reform: “The holding company allows us to move forward in this acculturation, in this joint work. And then one day perhaps, the merger will become natural. It has to progress smoothly. There has to be this desire.”

For the moment, this project mainly arouses opposition from public broadcasting unions. “It can be scary and I understand”affirms Celine Calvez, the spokesperson for the Renaissance deputies, who nevertheless assures that a merger will offer opportunities. “All those who want to navigate differently from one company to another in order to be able to train in new professions that can enrich their skills.”

The precise scope of this merger has not yet been defined. Should RFI and France 24 be included? These two media outlets grouped within France Médias Monde were excluded from the merger by the deputies in committee. The government is now on the same line, according to Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné.