The unions of the BFMTV channel, accused of having put itself at the service of Nicolas Sarkozy, demand “explanations” from the management

In an investigation published on Wednesday, Mediapart reveals the content of text messages which “show the incredible mobilization of managers and figures of the news channel in support of Nicolas Sarkozy” in November 2020.

“We demand very clear explanations from Marc-Olivier Fogiel on his open collusion with the former head of state. And we call on him to take responsibility.” These are the words that conclude a vitriolic press release signed by the SNJ and SNJ-CGT unions of BFMTV and RMC, published on Wednesday July 10 on X.

The text follows an investigation by Mediapart, published online the same day, revealing text message exchanges and telephone conversations between several figures from the television channel and Véronique Waché, Nicolas Sarkozy’s press attaché, at the time when the Franco-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine rehabilitated the former President of the Republic, going back on his previous statements, on November 11, 2020.

That day, BFMTV “is working to manage two issues: the dissemination of this retraction and Nicolas Sarkozy’s communication in return“, writes Mediapart, which publishes the content of several text messages to support its revelations. “Hello Ruth, can you call NS? I kiss you”, sends, for example, Véronique Waché to the journalist Ruth Elkrief. “The journalist complies and half an hour later speaks with Nicolas Sarkozy for more than nine minutes.”claims Mediapart.

According to the investigative media, barely half an hour later, the general director of BFM, Marc-Olivier Fogiel, sent the press officer the article posted by the channel on its website. An exchange ensued about the best time to conduct an interview with Nicolas Sarkozy.

“We’ll start fighting on Friday afternoon and Saturday and all weekend,” concludes Marc-Olivier Fogiel. In fact, Nicolas Sarkozy was interviewed on November 13, 2020 by Ruth Elkrief for forty-five minutes. And according to Mediapart, Marc-Olivier Fogiel asked Véronique Waché about the effect produced by the broadcast of the interview.

In response to these revelations, Véronique Waché shared her “total indignation” and his “the most lively consternation” in a long response sent to Mediapart. She also announced that she wanted to file a complaint “to put an end to these numerous attacks on [sa] private and professional life”.

“On the targeted sequence as for the rest, obviously no instructions were given. Everyone was able to work in complete freedom by receiving everyone”, Marc-Olivier Fogiel defends himself. As for Ruth Elkrief, she “does not believe I have shown any leniency”. “When I made my interview proposal and during the entire course of these exchanges, at no time was I aware of any manipulation or crime”assures the journalist.

Not enough to reassure the society of journalists (SDJ) of the news channel. “Many BFMTV journalists said they were disappointed despite the responses provided by management, because these revelations tarnish the image of the editorial staff,” wrote the SDJ in a press release, which “calls on the editorial staff to meet up” Thursday early afternoon, “to discuss this subject.”