BFM-TV presenter targeted by an internal investigation for “suspicions of interference”

Certain subjects broadcast in the Night Journal “would have passed on the air without being validated by the usual chain, that is to say the editor”.

mo12345lemonde with AFP

An internal investigation was opened in BFM-TV, the first news channel in France, due to suspicions aimed at a presenter, some subjects of which may have undergone external influence, learned AFP from concordant sources, confirming Information from the Politico site .

“An internal investigation was actually launched more than two weeks ago following information received concerning a journalist”, who is now “exempt from activity,” said the France-Presse agency ( AFP) The management of BFM-TV, without specifying the reason for these suspicions.

For its part, the BFM-TV journalists (SDJ) has reported “suspicion of interference concerning a journalist”. “If the facts reported are correct, they are serious and condemnable,” underlines the SDJ.

According to an internal source of BFM-TV, which confirms information from Politico, this journalist is Rachid M’Barki, presenter of the night newspapers. The investigation is targeting “information broadcast in this night newspaper between midnight and 4:30 am, which would have passed on the air without being validated by the usual chain, that is to say the editor” , continued this internal source.

The investigation must determine “if this content was under any influence” and if images broadcast on the antenna “came from outside”.

circulates in particular on social networks a subject on an economic forum between Morocco and Spain organized in June.

By launching the subject, according to an extract still visible online, Mr. M’Barki explains that this forum was “made possible by the warming of diplomatic relations between the two countries since the recognition by Spain of the Moroccan Sahara “.

This expression means Western Sahara, a region largely controlled by Morocco, but claimed by the Polisario Front supported by Algeria. This question is a source of tensions between Rabat and Algiers.

Questioned by Politico, Mr. M’Barki admitted having “used information which [him] came from informants” and who “did not necessarily follow the usual editorial curriculum”.

MO12345TE Purchasing guides

reusable gourdes The best gourdes to replace disposable bottles Read

“They were all real and verified (…). , maybe I was fooled, I didn’t have the impression that it was or that I participated in an operation of I don’t know what, otherwise I wouldn’t have done, “he continues .

“We cannot tolerate any beginning of suspicion on the work of BFM and its three hundred journalists. We will therefore take all legal, judicial, individual and organizational measures according to the conclusions of this investigation”, Part assured the management of BFM-TV.

/Media reports cited above.