This is the number 1 topic of discussion in the corridors of France 24 since yesterday. In Issy-les-Moulineaux, concern remains. The rapporteur of the mission on public service and president of the commission on the allocation of DTT frequencies had suggested that France Info was going to replace France 24. Before backpedaling this morning.
Guest of “Télématin” on France 2, this Tuesday, MP Quentin Bataillon backtracks. Or at least, it reassures the France 24 editorial staff. According to him, the France 24 brand and frequencies will remain alive.
The Renaissance deputy had first insisted on the microphone of France Info to “ push » the news channel « presence », continuing: “ to possibly replace France 24 and have this national and international attraction ". The words had been clear. Even if it was necessary to wait structural reform ».
Raising of shields, social media posts, in less than 24 hours, journalists organized themselves to lead the anti-Bataillon rebellion. In particular Vanessa Burggraf, director of France 24 program, also surprised by this announcement: “ Replace four news channels in French, English, Arabic and Spanish, designed for international audiences? Mr. Quentin Bataillon, this is to ignore our specificities. Fortunately, it is not the project of the State shareholder which measures the importance of France 24! ».
Faced with the outcry, Quentin Bataillon plays appeasement. On France 2, he does not hesitate to contradict himself: “ This is not deleting a channel! On the contrary, it means being able to pool teams and pool resources. This means that at no time do we question the brand and frequencies of France 24. They are known and recognized for their international expertise and their networks. ».
What to convince the France 24 editorial staff? He specifies : " It's not not even a merger of the editorial staff. It’s a pooling of editorials. We need to be able to draw on their expertise. » So, rather merger or “pooling” of editorial staff? We will need to clarify the definitions of these terms. All this remains very ambiguous. And awkward.
