Reporters Without Borders denounces methods of Vincent Bolloré against information

A shock short documentary, unveiled Thursday, October 14, denounces the intimidation and threats the entrepreneur on freedom of information.

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“These repetitive attacks on the freedom of the press and the independence of the editorials constitute an unprecedented threat to democracy.” These sharp words, that we would like to denounce the situation of a distant authoritarian country, Characterize, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the way Vincent Bolloré apprehends the information.

In a 15-minute documentary entitled “Boloré system information”, broadcast from Thursday, October 14 on social networks, Patrick Cohen, Pascale Clark, Valentine Desjeunes, among others, tell how, in 2015, I-TV was tamed as a result of his repurchase by the industrialist – a scenario that is repeating itself at Europe 1.

“It’s someone who reigns by terror”, describes Jean-Baptiste Rivoire, former chief editor of Canal + “Special Investigation”. An appreciation confirmed by Jean-Pierre Canet and Nicolas Vescovacci, authors of the documentary on mutual credit censored by Vincent Bolloré in 2015. Benoît Collombat (Radio France), Tristan Waleckx (France Télévisions) and Agnes Rousseaux (Basta!) Report, them, The judicial procedures intended to “silence” when they wanted to investigate the French or African business, the entrepreneur. In five brief but argued chapters, the cause is heard: with the Breton Magnat, the democratic debate runs to its loss.

“launch an alarm signal”

For RSF, better known for its reports and releases, this kind of film is a first. “It’s about launching an alarm signal, but also to make proposals so that everyone takes aware of the issues,” justifies Christophe DeLoire, the Secretary-General of the NGO. The release of the video is accompanied by a list of recommendations to the Government, Parliament, the Competition Authority and the Superior Audiovisual Council.

At the regulator, RSF requests “enforcing the honesty, independence and pluralism of the information” in the Canal + group, by “the minimalist interpretations” of the texts, but also by controlling more severely charters and ethics committees. The CNEWS Convention with the CSA should be reviewed, “the info chain continuously became a chain of debate and opinion”; the audiovisual law, which dates from before digital, revised; The gagging procedures, prevented …

“The moment is timely because of the expansion of the Bolloré Empire, but also because on the occasion of the presidential campaign, the public debate will focus on the right to information”, ensures m . DELOIX. It remains to be seen who could take a position against the one who controls several television channels, a radio, different publishers, as well as plethora of magazines, and endorse these recommendations.

/Media reports.