A call for privatization of French public broadcasting is gaining traction following the emergence of hidden camera footage featuring two state-funded journalists allegedly conspiring with senior Socialist officials about upcoming presidential and mayoral elections.
The political and media landscape in France was shaken when footage was released of a July meeting involving inter-French radio presenter Patrick Cohen, journalist Thomas Legrand, and prominent Socialist figures like Leque Brucy, the head of the Socialist Council of State, and MEP Pierre Juvette.
According to reports from the right-leaning publication l’corect, the meeting aimed to facilitate the defeat of central-right culture minister Rachida Dati in the Paris mayoral elections slated for 2026, while also boosting Socialist MEP Raphael Glucksmann’s prospects against Marine Le Pen or Jordan Bardera in the next presidential race.
Legrand, associated with public radio, noted during the meeting that centrist voters might be inclined to support Glucksmann in a contest against Le Pen, contrasting him with leftist candidates like Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
It’s suggested that France Inter could play a decisive role in influencing votes for Glucksmann. A public radio host reportedly stated, “They may not listen closely to right or left of center, but many hear France Inter.”
Responding to this, Socialist Pierre Juvette commented in a positive light, agreeing on the idea of a unified candidate devoid of Melanchon’s influence.
Glucksmann, currently in a relationship with another journalist from a French public broadcast network, has fractured from the emerging popular front coalition on the left due to concerns about anti-feminism and radicalism associated with the Mélenchon Party. Even as a member of Macron’s left, he is viewed as a candidate likely to maintain existing globalist policies.
Additionally, l’corect reported that Legrand and Cohen had expressed intentions to “do what is necessary” to prevent Rachida Dati from succeeding in next year’s mayoral elections, likely where she hopes to oust current Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo.
In response to these revelations, Dati expressed her distress on social media, emphasizing the severity of the statements made, which she argued violate journalistic ethics and could warrant consequences.
Marine Le Pen of the National Rally seized upon the controversy, advocating for the privatization of France’s public broadcasters. She argued that they misused their platform to wage political battles against opposing viewpoints.
Le Pen asserted, “Public services should not align with any political faction but instead represent various parties. Considering privatization could save the French public about 4 billion euros yearly.”
In a statement released Friday, France Inter announced that Thomas Legrand had been suspended, although no actions have yet been taken against Patrick Cohen.
Legrand has maintained that the footage was misrepresented, explaining that his remarks pertained to confronting “Dati’s lies and her stance towards the press,” rather than being overtly political. The Socialist Party, meanwhile, attempted to undermine the credibility of the reporting.
