Two-Day Strike Begins at France Télévisions and Radio France Amid Public Broadcasting Reform Protests
Workers strike against a proposed government plan to create a public media holding structure, with some programming interruptions reported.
A two-day strike commenced on March 31, 2025, within France's public broadcasting sector, primarily impacting select stations of Radio France as workers protest the government's proposed establishment of a common holding structure known as France Médias.
The strike coincides with the impending examination of this proposal in the National Assembly.
As part of the strike, France Culture and local stations Ici (formerly known as France Bleu) have replaced their usual programming with music.
At France Télévisions, all unions filed a unified strike notice for both days of protest.
By midday on Monday, management reported that 9% of employees were participating in the walkout.
In solidarity, the inter-union group at Radio France called for a strike on Tuesday, while the CGT union expanded its strike notice to include Monday’s action, aligning with the protests at France Télévisions.
Additional strike notices have also been filed by unions at France Médias Monde and the Institut national de l'audiovisuel (Ina), which are both potentially affected by the proposed reforms.
The CGT is additionally organizing a "festive evening" on Monday at the Bourse du Travail in Paris to voice opposition to the reform, which is spearheaded by Culture Minister Rachida Dati.
The legislative proposal, introduced by Senator Laurent Lafon of the Union Centriste, is scheduled for committee examination on Tuesday in the National Assembly, with a potential discussion in the chamber set for April 10, although that date may be subject to change.
The bill aims to create a controlling body, France Médias, to oversee the involved public broadcasting entities under the authority of a president.
Union representatives, including those from the CGT, CFDT, FO, SNJ, and SUD of France Télévisions, have expressed concerns that this reform, along with associated budget cuts, could have severe repercussions if enacted.
They contend that the measures would effectively dismantle their organization by placing it under the umbrella of France Télévisions.
Similarly, unions at Radio France argue that the proposed changes would undermine their independence.
Minister Dati has defended the necessity of the reform, characterizing it as "essential" within a highly competitive media landscape dominated by well-structured private companies.
She emphasizes that the initiative is meant to strengthen public media while maintaining the independence and distinct identities of each entity involved.
Dati has also refuted claims that the state would exert control over the proposed holding structure, stating, "It is completely false that there will be any takeover."
Previously, a more extensive plan had envisioned merging the companies into a single entity akin to the BBC in France, but this proposal was halted following the dissolution of the National Assembly in mid-2024.
The strike coincides with the impending examination of this proposal in the National Assembly.
As part of the strike, France Culture and local stations Ici (formerly known as France Bleu) have replaced their usual programming with music.
At France Télévisions, all unions filed a unified strike notice for both days of protest.
By midday on Monday, management reported that 9% of employees were participating in the walkout.
In solidarity, the inter-union group at Radio France called for a strike on Tuesday, while the CGT union expanded its strike notice to include Monday’s action, aligning with the protests at France Télévisions.
Additional strike notices have also been filed by unions at France Médias Monde and the Institut national de l'audiovisuel (Ina), which are both potentially affected by the proposed reforms.
The CGT is additionally organizing a "festive evening" on Monday at the Bourse du Travail in Paris to voice opposition to the reform, which is spearheaded by Culture Minister Rachida Dati.
The legislative proposal, introduced by Senator Laurent Lafon of the Union Centriste, is scheduled for committee examination on Tuesday in the National Assembly, with a potential discussion in the chamber set for April 10, although that date may be subject to change.
The bill aims to create a controlling body, France Médias, to oversee the involved public broadcasting entities under the authority of a president.
Union representatives, including those from the CGT, CFDT, FO, SNJ, and SUD of France Télévisions, have expressed concerns that this reform, along with associated budget cuts, could have severe repercussions if enacted.
They contend that the measures would effectively dismantle their organization by placing it under the umbrella of France Télévisions.
Similarly, unions at Radio France argue that the proposed changes would undermine their independence.
Minister Dati has defended the necessity of the reform, characterizing it as "essential" within a highly competitive media landscape dominated by well-structured private companies.
She emphasizes that the initiative is meant to strengthen public media while maintaining the independence and distinct identities of each entity involved.
Dati has also refuted claims that the state would exert control over the proposed holding structure, stating, "It is completely false that there will be any takeover."
Previously, a more extensive plan had envisioned merging the companies into a single entity akin to the BBC in France, but this proposal was halted following the dissolution of the National Assembly in mid-2024.
