by A.P.
France’s public television has a scheme where journalists who speak positively about the EU and diversity are rewarded with bonuses
In France, public television channels and radio stations belonging to the France Télévisions public media group have been among the most vocal critics of their Polish and Hungarian counterparts under the rule of conservative governments of Law and Justice (PiS) and Fidesz, which they have often accused of clamping down on the freedom of the press and turning public media outlets into pro-government propaganda channels.
Yet, after the French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune told the National Assembly last Sept. 17 that it was necessary to “reinforce the mechanisms which will make our public channels talk more about Europe”, and that the government and its parliamentary majority should “seek all possible means of constraint or pressure to achieve that goal”, it appears that the management of France Télévisions was quick to obey its orders.
According to left-wing Le Monde daily newspaper, “a few months ago” chief editors at France Télévisions were told that the variable part of their salary will now depend on how much they promote “diversity, visibility, overseas departments and territories, and Europe” (meaning the EU).
