It is difficult to claim that the joint projects loaned to Delphine Ernotte and Sibyle Veil, presidents of France Télévisions and Radio France respectively, fall under absolute secrecy. A document signed by the two leaders, established “during a seminar dedicated to information and local offers” dated January 17 and that The world was able to consult, gives them a new reality. This time, it is a question of registering the rapprochement of France 3 and France Bleu, but also that of the editorial staff of the global media Franceinfo in the contracts of objective of means (COM).
Under negotiation with the supervisory authority, these roadmaps set the course for public broadcasting companies for the next five years – instead of three in the past, as desired by the Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul Malak. Title “Towards a conquering and united public audiovisual offer”, the document proposes “one strategic plan” to both companies “which could be integrated into COM 2024-2028 around the axes” France 3-France Bleu and Franceinfo. This would be unheard of, after two significant innovations made by Roselyne Bachelot: not only had the former Minister of Culture ensured that the dates of execution of the COMs (in fact, simple endorsements for the years 2020-2022 ) are identical for all public broadcasting companies, but these included “common goals” – a first.
“Trick of the eye project”
The SNJ trade union sections of the two groups were quick, on Friday 10 February, to “denouncing a project in trompe-l’œil, nourished by political obsessions and managerial incantations”. For Matthieu Darriet, co-secretary of the SNJ at Radio France, this commitment to ever closer cooperation in terms of information, “it’s a bomb. In effect, our leaders are initiating the merger.” “They do the holding without the holding”confirms Serge Cimino, SNJ union representative at France Télévisions, in reference to the project carried out by Franck Riester, then Minister of Culture, interrupted due to confinement.
Although France 3 and France Bleu have already had to face strong internal opposition to offer joint morning shows and a joint website called “Here, by France Bleu and France 3”, the two leaders would commit to regional branches henceforth implementing “a joint five-year editorial project” on radio and television. France 3 has 24 regional offices and France Bleu has 44 local ones, harmonizing the structures would lead to “single territorial directorates” and teams united under one roof, while the “versatility” would be developed.
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