Right-wing inquiry launched into Radio France editorial independence
Right-wing parliament launches Radio France bias inquiry with September deadline.
Event / Conflict
France Inter Hiring Controversy
French public broadcasting unions launched a strike against the hiring of Charles Sapin from Valeurs actuelles as a political commentator at France Inter, citing concerns over editorial standards and public broadcasting independence.
1 reported locations
Daily activity
2 articles0 articles
2026-09-13 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 13 Sept, 09:30 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Pierre-Édouard Stérin is shareholder in Valeurs actuelles magazine
Billionaire Pierre-Édouard Stérin, described as close to far-right circles, is among the shareholders of Valeurs actuelles magazine.
Radio France unions call two-day strike against Charles Sapin's hiring at France Inter
Six unions (CFDT, CGT, FO, SNJ, SUD, Unsa) at Radio France launched a two-day strike beginning September 13, 2026, protesting the hiring of Charles Sapin as a political commentator on France Inter. The unions organized a rally at 2 PM on September 13 at the Maison de la radio in Paris, the headquarters of the public broadcaster.
Valeurs actuelles magazine condemned for 2020 caricature of LFI politician
Valeurs actuelles magazine was previously condemned in court for depicting Black LFI politician Danièle Obono as an enslaved person in 2020. The magazine was then directed by Geoffroy Lejeune, who moved to Journal du dimanche in 2023.
Radio France staff votes to reject Sapin hiring on September 2
Radio France staff adopted a motion on September 2, 2026, expressing categorical refusal of Charles Sapin's hiring, judging Valeurs actuelles incompatible with public broadcasting standards.
France Inter director defends Sapin hiring in radio interview on September 11
Céline Pigalle, director of France Inter, defended Charles Sapin's hiring in a September 11, 2026 interview with Radio France's ombudsperson, citing pluralism as fundamental to public broadcasting. She stated that Sapin assured her he joined Valeurs actuelles to change its editorial line.
Charles Sapin hired as political commentator on France Inter starting August 30
Charles Sapin, former journalist at Le Point and now deputy editorial director of magazine Valeurs actuelles, was hired as a political commentator on France Inter. He began delivering a weekly political commentary segment on Sunday mornings around 7:40 AM on August 30, 2026.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon describes Sapin hiring as far-right colonization of public radio
In early September 2026, Jean-Luc Mélenchon of La France Insoumise characterized Charles Sapin's hiring at France Inter as colonization by far-right elements.
Bruno Retailleau criticizes Radio France for sectarianism
Bruno Retailleau of Les Républicains accused Radio France newsrooms of sectarianism in response to the controversy over Charles Sapin's hiring.
Charles Sapin also hired as commentator on France Télévisions channel franceinfo
Beyond his role at France Inter, Charles Sapin was also hired as a commentator on franceinfo, a channel of the France Télévisions group. This hiring was also contested by unions at France Télévisions.
300 French personalities sign petition against Sapin's hiring at France Inter
Three hundred French personalities, including actresses Julie Gayet, Ariane Ascaride, Corinne Masiero, singer Lio, and Nobel Prize-winning author Annie Ernaux, signed a statement published in Le Parisien on September 12, 2026, calling Sapin's hiring at France Inter revolting.
UDR-led parliamentary inquiry into public broadcaster bias announced September 30 report
A parliamentary commission led by the UDR party and allied to the RN was created last year over accusations that public radio favored leftist political perspectives. Rapporteur Charles Alloncle announced the release of a report on this investigation on September 30, 2026, to be published by Fayard, an editor in the orbit of billionaire Vincent Bolloré.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Public broadcaster faces backlash over political commentator hiring
France Inter's hiring of political commentator Charles Sapin triggered strikes and a petition from 300 personalities.