The start of the school year promises to be turbulent in public broadcasting. At Radio France, an indefinite strike notice filed by a joint union (CFDT, CGT, FO, SNJ, SUD, UNSA) threatens to disrupt broadcasts starting Monday, August 25. France Inter, France Info, France Culture, France Bleu, and France Musique could be affected, as discussions with management have stalled since the June strike. The grievances concern the elimination of investigative programs, the reform of production methods, and the protests against the new schedule of "Ici," formerly France Bleu, which is accused of reducing the autonomy of the 44 local stations.
An explosive social climate
The unions are denouncing a reorganization project carried out without consultation, to the detriment of proximity and editorial independence. According to Matthieu Darriet (SNJ), "lifting the notice period would be a miracle," given the numerous areas of tension. The unease is such that a social and economic committee meeting at "Ici" was interrupted on Wednesday, preventing the presentation of the new schedule. For union representatives, only genuine negotiation can defuse the conflict. But the airwaves aren't the only ones threatened. France Télévisions is also experiencing a tense back-to-school season. On July 9, Delphine Ernotte announced the termination of the 2013 collective agreement, which sets out work rules and professions, a decision that caught some employees off guard. While this overhaul fulfills a commitment made to Arcom, the unions are speaking of a "brutality" that ushers in an era of confrontation.
Finances under pressure
Adding to these social tensions is an increasingly difficult budgetary equation. Both Radio France and France Télévisions are anticipating deficits at the end of the year—€5,3 million and over €70 million, respectively. Worse, the summer revealed an additional cut expected for 2026: nearly €65 million less for France Télévisions and over €4 million for Radio France. This enforced austerity is already leading to painful choices. At France Télévisions, several programs are disappearing ("Questions pour un champion" on weekdays, "Slam" on weekends, "C Médiatique"), and producers have been ordered to reduce their bills by 5%, a hoped-for savings of €15 million. The objective: to limit the 2025 deficit to €57 million. Radio France, for its part, fears a further weakening of its editorial ambitions after a decade of restrictions. France Télévisions' management nevertheless points out that it must maintain €440 million of annual investments in creative activities (film, fiction, documentaries, animation). But the logic of austerity, management warns, could end up "breaking the machine." This observation echoes that of many union members: through successive cuts, the State is pushing its own public media to the brink of collapse.
