Producing information in France cost all media more than 3 billion euros in 2023, more than 70% of which comes from payroll, according to a study (AFP/Archives/Miguel MEDINA)
Producing information in France cost all media more than 3 billion euros in 2023, more than 70% of which comes from payroll, according to a study published Thursday by the Estates General of Information ( EGI).
Presented as unprecedented, this study “appeared essential to lead reflection on the economic model of the media and on public policies to support it”, write its authors.
It was produced by one of the EGI working groups, “Future of news media and journalism”, chaired by Christopher Baldelli, head of the Public Senate channel. It was coordinated by Philippe Bailly, specialist in media economics.
A vast project desired by Emmanuel Macron and launched in October, the EGI should result this summer in proposals for legislative modifications, as well as recommendations to players in the media sector.
The study is essentially based on data requested from more than 370 media brands (TV, radio, written press, etc.).
It estimates the cost of producing information at 3 billion euros in 2023 (2.4 billion if we exclude press agencies and the professional press).
“Salary costs represent more than 70% of the cost of information,” notes the study.
Mainstream media employ more than 27,000 employees (full-time equivalents), including 58% permanent journalists and 18% freelancers. This rises to more than 40,000 including the professional press and press agencies.
The study estimates the total turnover of mainstream media at 12 billion euros in 2023.
The sources of financing come 23% from the end consumer (subscriptions and sales to press issues, mainly), 35% from advertising and 32% from public financing (aid for the press and financing of public broadcasting).
But if we break down, the “economic models are opposed between the press and the audiovisual sector”, the former being two-thirds financed by sales, while the audiovisual sector is 43% financed by advertising.
The working group wanted this study to become annual, to provide “a public dashboard of the information economy”.
© 2024 AFP
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