EBRA Group journalists strike over job cuts and AI use

Employees of nine regional newspapers under the EBRA Group are striking this Friday to protest a job reduction plan and the increased use of artificial intelligence. The group, owned by Crédit Mutuel, has announced a voluntary redundancy plan targeting up to 400 positions out of approximately 3,200 employees.

Journalists and unions, including the Syndicat National des Journalistes (SNJ), are contesting the plan, noting that editorial services such as proofreading and layout are particularly affected. Unions argue that the deployment of AI tools for automated page layout is being implemented without proper consultation and poses risks to journalistic ethics and content quality.

The EBRA Group has cited declining print sales, falling subscription numbers, and reduced advertising revenue as primary drivers for the restructuring. Management indicated that the automation of tasks is intended to compensate for the reduction in workforce following operational losses exceeding 10 million euros in 2025.