Public Audiovisual Strike in France Against Proposed Holding Company
A two-day strike begins as workers protest government plans for a shared holding structure in public broadcasting.
A two-day strike commenced on March 31, 2025, within French public broadcasting, particularly impacting several Radio France stations, in response to the government’s proposed establishment of a common holding company.
This strike occurred ahead of a legislative examination in the National Assembly.
At France Télévisions, all unions submitted a joint strike notice effective for both days.
On Monday, March 31, programming on France Culture and local Radio France stations, free from their usual broadcasts, featured only music.
Radio France's inter-union committee called for a strike to align with France Télévisions on Tuesday, additionally, the CGT union placed a second notice for Monday.
Similar notifications were also submitted at France Médias Monde and the National Institute of Audiovisual (INA), both of which may be affected by the proposed reforms.
In conjunction with these labor actions, the CGT organized a 'festive evening' on the same day at the Bourse du Travail in Paris to express opposition to the reform initiative led by Culture Minister Rachida Dati.
The legislative framework, a bill proposed by Senator Laurent Lafon from the centrist party, is set for committee review in the National Assembly on April 1. Its subsequent examination in the full Assembly is scheduled for April 10, though it may face delays.
The proposal aims to establish a holding company, France Médias, which would oversee the involved entities under the guidance of a president or chairperson.
Unions such as CGT, CFDT, FO, SNJ, and SUD of France Télévisions have expressed deep concerns regarding the proposed governance reform and the accompanying budget cuts, warning of severe implications if the project becomes law.
Union representatives from Radio France have characterized the proposals as potentially dismantling their organization by placing it under France Télévisions' authority.
In public statements, the Minister of Culture defended the necessity of the reform as essential in responding to a 'highly competitive context with well-structured private groups' in a move aimed at forging 'a strong public audiovisual group.'
Initially, the plan anticipated a merger of the companies, reminiscent of a French version of the BBC, but was placed on hold following the dissolution of the National Assembly in mid-2024.
This strike occurred ahead of a legislative examination in the National Assembly.
At France Télévisions, all unions submitted a joint strike notice effective for both days.
On Monday, March 31, programming on France Culture and local Radio France stations, free from their usual broadcasts, featured only music.
Radio France's inter-union committee called for a strike to align with France Télévisions on Tuesday, additionally, the CGT union placed a second notice for Monday.
Similar notifications were also submitted at France Médias Monde and the National Institute of Audiovisual (INA), both of which may be affected by the proposed reforms.
In conjunction with these labor actions, the CGT organized a 'festive evening' on the same day at the Bourse du Travail in Paris to express opposition to the reform initiative led by Culture Minister Rachida Dati.
The legislative framework, a bill proposed by Senator Laurent Lafon from the centrist party, is set for committee review in the National Assembly on April 1. Its subsequent examination in the full Assembly is scheduled for April 10, though it may face delays.
The proposal aims to establish a holding company, France Médias, which would oversee the involved entities under the guidance of a president or chairperson.
Unions such as CGT, CFDT, FO, SNJ, and SUD of France Télévisions have expressed deep concerns regarding the proposed governance reform and the accompanying budget cuts, warning of severe implications if the project becomes law.
Union representatives from Radio France have characterized the proposals as potentially dismantling their organization by placing it under France Télévisions' authority.
In public statements, the Minister of Culture defended the necessity of the reform as essential in responding to a 'highly competitive context with well-structured private groups' in a move aimed at forging 'a strong public audiovisual group.'
Initially, the plan anticipated a merger of the companies, reminiscent of a French version of the BBC, but was placed on hold following the dissolution of the National Assembly in mid-2024.
