Rachida Dati Denies Aggression Claims Amid Audiovisual Reform Controversy
Debate on public audiovisual reform suspended following a heated exchange involving Dati at the French National Assembly.
Rachida Dati, France’s Minister of Justice, firmly rejected allegations of aggression, insults, or threats during a recent session of the National Assembly concerning the examination of a public audiovisual reform project.
"I have seen statements claiming there was an aggression, that there were threats, that there were insults.
They never existed," Dati asserted as the committee resumed discussions on the proposed reforms, which were immediately suspended after her remarks.
Reports indicate that the session could potentially reconvene at 18:30.
The discussion regarding the reform had previously been halted the night before, following accusations from left-wing deputies of a serious incident involving Dati and an Assembly administrator.
On Wednesday, Dati acknowledged that there had been "lively debates" between her ministry officials and the administrator over a rejected amendment that the ministry sought to introduce in response to what was described as obstructions from opponents.
Dati elaborated on the situation, stating, "I questioned the administrator to understand why this amendment was not accepted." She described the exchange as a somewhat heated response, maintaining that the incident was now resolved.
She emphasized her desire for the commission not to be exploited for political obstruction.
The committee chair, Fatiha Keloua Hachi, expressed a desire for Dati to issue an apology, highlighting the seriousness of the events.
During the subsequent suspension of the meeting, ecologist deputy Sophie Taillé-Pollian conveyed concerns about the ability to continue discussions in Dati's presence, stating that they awaited a response from the government regarding the possibility of another minister defending the bill.
Additionally, Cyrielle Chatelain, president of the environmental group, urged for a postponement of the discussions, citing "unacceptable" examination conditions stemming from the incident, last-minute amendments, and the absence of an impact assessment for the reform.
Dati initially stressed the necessity of the reform to avoid inevitable weakening, particularly against the competition posed by streaming platforms.
Already approved in a first reading at the Senate in 2023, the proposed law seeks to establish a holding entity, France Médias, which would oversee France Télévisions, Radio France, and the National Audiovisual Institute (Ina) under a unified leadership.
Contrary to initial plans, France Médias Monde, the international arm of France's public broadcasting (including RFI and France 24), is now recommended to be excluded from this holding structure, as per a government evaluation of the reform.
The original proposal had suggested a full merger of these entities, akin to a French model of the BBC, but this plan was disrupted by the dissolution of the Assembly in mid-2024.
Dati emphasized, "This reform is not a merger project, and it will not proceed against the interests of the employees," noting that 15,000 to 16,000 jobs could be affected.
On Tuesday afternoon, several hundred opponents of the project gathered near the Palais Bourbon, with Matthieu Darriet from the National Union of Journalists (SNJ) at Radio France arguing that the proposed holding structure resembled a merger that would lead to prolonged challenges for employees.
Pierre Mouchel, a central delegate at France Télévisions for the CGT union, added that the aim of the reform appears to be cost-saving.
On the first day of civil action, the strike significantly impacted Radio France, where 72% of journalists participated.
At France Télévisions, the strike rate reported by management was 9%, with preemptive strikes also announced at France Médias Monde and the Ina.
The legislative timeline for introducing this reform in the Assembly is scheduled for April 10; however, this may be postponed due to the requirement to first address another text concerning economic simplification.
In early March, Dati appointed Laurence Bloch, former director of Radio France's channels, to carry out a "support mission" on the reform, with conclusions expected in the upcoming weeks.
The government’s evaluation note on the reform outlines plans for new subsidiaries under the parent company France Médias, including a collaborative platform, franceinfo, for increased cooperation between radio and television, and Ici, aimed at consolidating regional networks.
Dati aims for a definitive adoption of the reform by the summer.
The timeline is tight, particularly with support from the ruling coalition and right-wing parties, while the National Rally has advocated for the eventual privatization of public broadcasting.
"I have seen statements claiming there was an aggression, that there were threats, that there were insults.
They never existed," Dati asserted as the committee resumed discussions on the proposed reforms, which were immediately suspended after her remarks.
Reports indicate that the session could potentially reconvene at 18:30.
The discussion regarding the reform had previously been halted the night before, following accusations from left-wing deputies of a serious incident involving Dati and an Assembly administrator.
On Wednesday, Dati acknowledged that there had been "lively debates" between her ministry officials and the administrator over a rejected amendment that the ministry sought to introduce in response to what was described as obstructions from opponents.
Dati elaborated on the situation, stating, "I questioned the administrator to understand why this amendment was not accepted." She described the exchange as a somewhat heated response, maintaining that the incident was now resolved.
She emphasized her desire for the commission not to be exploited for political obstruction.
The committee chair, Fatiha Keloua Hachi, expressed a desire for Dati to issue an apology, highlighting the seriousness of the events.
During the subsequent suspension of the meeting, ecologist deputy Sophie Taillé-Pollian conveyed concerns about the ability to continue discussions in Dati's presence, stating that they awaited a response from the government regarding the possibility of another minister defending the bill.
Additionally, Cyrielle Chatelain, president of the environmental group, urged for a postponement of the discussions, citing "unacceptable" examination conditions stemming from the incident, last-minute amendments, and the absence of an impact assessment for the reform.
Dati initially stressed the necessity of the reform to avoid inevitable weakening, particularly against the competition posed by streaming platforms.
Already approved in a first reading at the Senate in 2023, the proposed law seeks to establish a holding entity, France Médias, which would oversee France Télévisions, Radio France, and the National Audiovisual Institute (Ina) under a unified leadership.
Contrary to initial plans, France Médias Monde, the international arm of France's public broadcasting (including RFI and France 24), is now recommended to be excluded from this holding structure, as per a government evaluation of the reform.
The original proposal had suggested a full merger of these entities, akin to a French model of the BBC, but this plan was disrupted by the dissolution of the Assembly in mid-2024.
Dati emphasized, "This reform is not a merger project, and it will not proceed against the interests of the employees," noting that 15,000 to 16,000 jobs could be affected.
On Tuesday afternoon, several hundred opponents of the project gathered near the Palais Bourbon, with Matthieu Darriet from the National Union of Journalists (SNJ) at Radio France arguing that the proposed holding structure resembled a merger that would lead to prolonged challenges for employees.
Pierre Mouchel, a central delegate at France Télévisions for the CGT union, added that the aim of the reform appears to be cost-saving.
On the first day of civil action, the strike significantly impacted Radio France, where 72% of journalists participated.
At France Télévisions, the strike rate reported by management was 9%, with preemptive strikes also announced at France Médias Monde and the Ina.
The legislative timeline for introducing this reform in the Assembly is scheduled for April 10; however, this may be postponed due to the requirement to first address another text concerning economic simplification.
In early March, Dati appointed Laurence Bloch, former director of Radio France's channels, to carry out a "support mission" on the reform, with conclusions expected in the upcoming weeks.
The government’s evaluation note on the reform outlines plans for new subsidiaries under the parent company France Médias, including a collaborative platform, franceinfo, for increased cooperation between radio and television, and Ici, aimed at consolidating regional networks.
Dati aims for a definitive adoption of the reform by the summer.
The timeline is tight, particularly with support from the ruling coalition and right-wing parties, while the National Rally has advocated for the eventual privatization of public broadcasting.
