The announced reduction in state communication spending is causing concern among professionals in the sector in France's overseas territories. The government aims to reduce this national budget to €700 million by 2026, compared to approximately €1 billion in 2024. This reform is presented as a way to make public communication more concise, clear, and effective.
For the French Antilles and French Guiana, only €1,7 million would be allocated to public campaigns. Ten communications professionals signed an open letter denouncing this amount as far below the needs of the three territories. They are calling for a budget of €11 million to take into account the specific geographical, social, media, and linguistic constraints of Guadeloupe, Martinique, and French Guiana.
Essential campaigns for prevention
The signatories fear that budget cuts will reduce the state's ability to inform residents on sensitive issues. In French Guiana, campaigns may address topics such as drug trafficking, illegal gold mining, health risks, road safety, and climate change. These campaigns require a variety of media, including posters, radio and television messages, digital content, and adaptations into multiple languages.
A single comprehensive campaign can cost over €100,000 when it covers design, production, media buying, and local adaptations. Professionals do not dispute the principle of streamlining public spending, but they call for an allocation tailored to local realities. In their view, government communication in the overseas territories is a tool for prevention and protection that cannot be reduced to a mere institutional expense.
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