Aymeric Caron launched a scathing attack on BFMTV and Olivier Truchot after the cancellation, just an hour before his scheduled broadcast, of a segment dedicated to the Barbara Butch case and the emergency agricultural law. This attack was particularly inappropriate given the reason for the cancellation: the deaths of two firefighters, which prompted the channel to drastically alter its programming to broadcast a special report. The former journalist and member of parliament had, however, been informed of this exceptional change, according to Olivier Truchot. The presenter responded publicly, urging Caron to show understanding and, above all, decency.
Aymeric Caron denounces a last-minute cancellation
Aymeric Caron explains that he was contacted late in the morning by BFMTV to participate in a program at 18:20 PM. He was scheduled to speak for about twenty minutes about the attack and the interruption of Barbara Butch's concert in Grenoble, as well as the emergency agricultural law. After several exchanges with the newsroom during the afternoon, he claims to have rearranged his schedule and set off for the studios. He then learned, an hour before his scheduled appearance, that his segment had been canceled. The MP immediately published a lengthy and particularly scathing message against the channel and Olivier Truchot:
"Unbearable and disrespectful @BFMTV and @Olivier_Truchot. They ask me late this morning if I agree to come and talk to them about the Barbara Butch 'affair' for 20 minutes at 18:20 pm, but also about the emergency agricultural law. I agree."
Numerous exchanges ensued in the afternoon.
While I'm on my way, having organized my schedule to make myself available, they call to cancel. An hour before.
I was a journalist. I worked for a news channel. I have NEVER seen such behavior towards guests, who are considered mere variables to be adjusted by these channels that respect nothing, neither the news nor people.
P.S.: This is at least the fifth time BFM has pulled this stunt on me (the previous time was a year and a half ago, which is why I stopped responding to their very rare invitations). So this is the first time I've said yes to them in a long time.
A violent attack without a word for the two deceased firefighters.
In his message, Aymeric Caron criticizes BFMTV at length for not respecting "Neither the news, nor the people"He describes the guests as simple "adjustment variables" and presents this cancellation as yet another sign of contempt from the channel. But he never specifies why his segment was cut. BFMTV had just changed its programming to dedicate a special edition to the deaths of two firefighters who died battling a blaze in Mérignac. The announcement of their deaths had been made that afternoon. Faced with such news, the news channel logically revised its schedule and canceled several previously planned segments. Aymeric Caron's segment was therefore not cut for editorial reasons concerning him, but because a tragedy demanded immediate coverage.
Olivier Truchot responds curtly
Olivier Truchot, directly targeted by the MP, responded a few hours later. The presenter reiterated the precise reason for the program's cancellation and stated that it had been explained to Aymeric Caron by the BFMTV programmer. His response was as brief as it was firm: "The deaths of two firefighters have forced us to make significant changes to our programming. I believe the programmer has explained this to you. A little understanding, and above all, decency, please."
The word "decency" sums up the entire controversy. Aymeric Caron was perfectly within his rights to be upset by a last-minute cancellation after having rearranged his schedule. But to transform this incident into a general attack against a newsroom, without mentioning that two firefighters had just lost their lives, gives his anger a pathetic and shameful dimension.
A completely disproportionate outrage
Aymeric Caron claims to have worked for a news channel and asserts that he has not "Never seen such behavior"His experience should have allowed him to understand that a broadcast schedule can be completely disrupted when tragic news breaks. Guests then inevitably become secondary. A political or media appearance, even one prepared over several hours, cannot proceed as if nothing had happened when two firefighters die in the line of duty. The MP could have lamented the circumstances of the cancellation or the lack of foresight. He could also have requested a rescheduled appearance. Instead, he chose to publicly denounce a channel that, that evening, had simply decided to prioritize the deaths of two men. Pathetic…
