Radio France staff dispute over editorial appointment

Internal conflict emerged at Radio France following the appointment of Charles Sapin, a deputy editor at Valeurs Actuelles, as a political editorialist for France Inter. Unions including the SNJ-CGT and the Syndicat national des journalistes (SNJ) expressed strong opposition, with the SNJ-CGT labeling the decision an “unacceptable red line” and the SNJ reporting “stupefaction across all Radio France newsrooms.”

Management defended the appointment as a means to ensure pluralism and “organize the conversation between all opinions” in preparation for presidential elections. Radio France President Sibyle Veil stated that public service should not be a “neutral or sanitized field” but an open house for diverse viewpoints. However, the controversy escalated as staff members voted unanimously for a strike, expressing a “categorical refusal” of Sapin’s presence. Opponents cited the history of Valeurs Actuelles, which the SNJ-CGT described as an “extreme right organ.”

The controversy has extended to the audience, with listeners expressing anger and feelings of “betrayal” over the recruitment of a figure from a publication with far-right leanings. Critics highlighted the editorial history of Valeurs Actuelles, noting its previous legal convictions for racial insults and provocation of racial hatred, arguing the appointment may conflict with journalistic ethics regarding the prevention of hate speech.

In response to the public outcry, Céline Pigalle, director of France Inter, addressed the “commotion” and “trouble” caused by the announcement during a media mediation segment, suggesting there may be a misunderstanding regarding the decision. A strike remains tentatively scheduled for September 13 and 14.