“I regret this decision”: dismissed from BFMTV, Jean-Jacques Bourdin breaks the silence

He spoke. Jean-Jacques Bourdin has been in turmoil since the Parisian relayed the testimony of a journalist accusing him of attempted sexual assault. Facts that allegedly took place nineteen years ago and the presenter is the subject of an internal investigation within BFMTV and RMC. A few hours ago this Sunday, January 23, it was revealed that the journalist, the subject of a complaint for sexual assault, was “temporarily” removed from the antenna. A decision he mentioned in a press release. “I regret the unilateral decision of the BFMTV Group and RMC to withdraw me from the antennas to prevent the risk of instrumentalization of the complaint of which I am the subject“, he first explained. Subsequently, he said he regretted “that the principle of the presumption of innocence be ignored. I would like to thank the listeners, listeners, viewers and viewers who show me their support“, he concluded. Following the accusations of the journalist, whose identity has not been revealed, Jean-Jacques Bourdin quickly spoke. “I know this person, and I worked with her. I admit to having bathed with her in the swimming pool of this hotel”, he had first declared before firmly deny the facts with which he is charged. “But I never tried to force-kiss her or anyone else.” he concluded.

He didn’t expect it. This Sunday, January 23, this is sad news announced by Altice, the parent company of BFMTV and RMC. “Jean-Jacques Bourdin, at the request of the management, temporarily withdraws from the antennas of BFMTV and RMC“, could we first read in the press release. “This decision was taken so as not to prejudice the daily operation of BFMTV and RMC. This temporary withdrawal from the antenna will make it possible to avoid political and media manipulation of this affair.“, was then clarified. However, the message recalled all the same that “Jean-Jacques Bourdin vigorously disputes the facts denounced and benefits from the presumption of innocence. The group recalls that an internal investigation has been opened to ensure that no facts of this type have been brought to the attention of the company’s employees and managers.“, was he concludes. A few days earlier, Marc-Olivier Fogiel had made different comments. “There there is nothing that prevents Jean-Jacques Bourdin from doing his job“, he said before specifying: “A simple complaint does not justify disqualifying someone. We are not minimizing this accusation or giving it a disproportionate dimension.” The channel’s decision is therefore a big surprise for Jean-Jacques Bourdin, who remain presumed innocent.

Jean-Jacques Bourdin: what did the alleged victim say?

In the columns of Le Parisien on January 15, the alleged victim, whose identity has not been revealed, had mentioned facts dating back to 2013 and which would have taken place in a swimming pool of a hotel during a press trip to Corsica. A former RMC journalist, she was 25 years old and she had indicated that Jean-Jacques Bourdin would have tried to kiss her by force. “I’m no longer a young journalist scared of losing my job and I know I didn’t have to go through what I went through.”, she assured before adding: “Today, I am tidy, peaceful. But for years, I went to work with fear in my stomach, completely stressed out. Subsequently, she stated that she had received constant emails and text messages of Jean-Jacques Bourdin during the months that followed. Charges taken very seriously and a investigation was quickly opened.

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