FAQ - Information plurality and ethics

There are two types of series: "serialized" series and "looped episode" series. The former are made up of episodes that follow one another, and which are shown in chronological order to ensure a clear understanding of the plot and respect for the work. Those with "looped episodes" are made up of independent parts, with a beginning and an end to the plot in each episode. This type of series is sometimes shown out of sequence, even if there is a common thread running throughout the season.

Unlike American channels, French channels generally show between one and three new episodes per evening, possibly combined with older episodes. The juxtaposition of an unpublished episode with an older one enables channels to retain their audience between the first and second parts of the evening. This strengthens the audience and makes it easier for the program to establish itself over time.

Compliance with the scheme for programs for younger viewers, which makes provision for programs not suitable for under-12s (shown after 10 p.m. with certain exceptions) and 16-year-olds (shown after 10:30 p.m.), can also force a channel to disrupt the chronology of a series. But this rarely happens.

Holders of a radio diffusion authorization are required to keep a recording of the programs they show, together with the corresponding log, for a period of one month.

At the request of the Authority or the Territorial Audiovisual Committee, the licensee must provide a copy of the requested information within eight days.

The channels are obliged to respect the advertised times, yet your early evening programs regularly start late.

There are several reasons for this time difference:

• program schedules, which are set at least 18 days before they are due to be broadcast, are given for information only
• the duration of live shows is variable, impacting the whole program schedule
• the length of a newscast also varies according to the density of current events
• the number of commercials and trailers also has an impact on schedules.

TV channels and radio stations are responsible for the content of the programs they show. They are free to decide which programs to air, depending on the audience they wish to reach and the diffusion rights they have acquired, as long as they abide by their legal obligations. Arcom does not intervene in their programming.

To exercise your right of reply to radio and TV broadcasters, you can contact the channel or station concerned directly(click here to access the directory of operators). For all other questions or comments relating to the content of a program or its programming, you can contact the viewer and listener relations departments directly. You'll find below the contact details of these mediation services for the main national channels.

Whether films, documentaries, sports programs or news magazines, channels are free to build their program schedules according to a well-defined editorial line.

These are based on

• the nature of the program set out in their agreement or, in the case of public channels, in their mission statement,
• the audience's different rhythms and expectations,
• the time of day and day of the week,
• vacation and vacation periods.

To ensure maximum stability in the face of fierce competition, program schedules must be announced no later than 18 days before they are due to be broadcast, and must not be modified in less than two weeks (14 days).

However, certain exceptional circumstances may authorize channels to make late changes to their programming:

• a sporting event ;
• a new event linked to current events
• a problem linked to rights protected by the French intellectual property code;
• a court decision
• a technical incident;
• a clear interest on the part of the public, decided after consultation between the channels concerned;
• a significant drop in audience rates for the first issues or episodes of a program series.

Ensuring the ethical conduct of audiovisuel programs is one of the Authority's missions. This concept has several facets: respect for the human person, the fight against discrimination, the maintenance of public order, the honesty and independence of information, the handling of legal cases and, finally, respect for the right to privacy.

The fundamental principles of professional ethics in the audiovisual media are set out in article 1 of the law of September 30, 1986. The Authority also relies on other texts such as article 9 of the French Civil Code, which protects the privacy of individuals, and the July 29, 1881 law on freedom of the press, which sentences insult and defamation.

These legal obligations are enshrined in the agreements signed by private broadcasters and in the terms of reference of public broadcasters. Several of their clauses require channels to avoid complacency in evoking human suffering, to respect the different political, cultural and religious sensitivities of the public, to promote the values of integration and solidarity, to verify their information and give its source, to demonstrate rigor in the presentation and processing of information, and to guarantee human rights.

The Authority has also adopted a number of notices and decisions in these areas.

The Authority always intervenes after the show has been broadcast. The channel is responsible for what it shows, and must be held to account for what it says on air. In the event of a breach, the Authority takes into account the conditions under which the program is shown: the host must intervene quickly by interrupting the speaker or by sentencing him or her if unethical remarks are made live on air. When the program is deferred broadcasting, such remarks must not be shown.

Finally, the Authority takes into account the genre of the broadcast. The seriousness of the breach differs according to whether the program is humorous, informative, a drama or a talk show.

Find out more about the rules of professional conduct for programs by following this link.

Whether films, documentaries, sports programs or news magazines, channels are free to build their program schedules according to a well-defined editorial line.

These are based on :

• the nature of the program set out in their agreement or, in the case of public channels, in their mission statement,
• different audience rhythms and expectations,
• the time of day and day of the week,
• vacation and holiday periods.

However, some channels are obliged to show a minimum of 120 hours of new programming every year, at peak listening times. As long as this minimum is respected, nothing prevents them from rebroadcasting programs.

If you have any questions or comments about the content of a program or its scheduling, you can contact the viewer and listener relations departments directly. You will find below the contact details of these mediation services for the main national channels.

TV channels and radio stations are responsible for the content of the programs they show.

Arcom does not intervene in their programming. Channels are obliged to adhere to advertised schedules.
There are several reasons for a time difference:

• Program schedules, which are set at least 18 days before they are due to be diffused, are given for information only.
• As a result, the duration of live shows varies, impacting the entire program schedule.
• The length of a newscast also varies according to the density of current events.
• The number of commercials and trailers also has an impact on schedules.

To promote French audiovisual production, private radio stations are required by law to show a minimum number of French songs. Arcom's role is to ensure compliance with this provision. Through a service provider, it verifies that radio operators comply with its obligations in this area.

The law entrusts Arcom with the task of guaranteeing plurality in the expression of currents of thought and opinion in the audiovisual media.

Apart from election periods, during which a specific scheme is set up to record and monitor the speaking and airing times of political figures, Arcom verifies, throughout the year, the application by the audiovisual media of the rules it has defined.

In accordance with the law, the speaking times of political figures transmitted by television and radio services to Arcom are communicated each month to the presidents of the French senate and French National Assembly and to the leaders of the political parties represented in Parliament. They are also published on this site.

Arcom pays particular attention to election campaign periods. The legislator demands that Arcom send deliberations to audiovisuel communication services for the duration of campaigns. Arcom goes further: it intervenes prior to the opening of official campaigns, to specify the conditions for respecting plurality, which may vary according to the type of election.

Find out more about the rules TV channels and radio stations must respect in terms of political plurality by following the link below.

Arcom ensures that the plurality of currents of thought and opinion is respected on television and radio, particularly in political and general news programmes.

Since January 1, 2018, Arcom has been quantifying the duration of political speeches, freeing itself from the notions of majority and opposition. Its aim is to ensure greater fairness between political formations.

Outside election periods, a channel tracks the speaking time of political figures, whether candidates or not.

Arcom is based on TV and radio channels' counts of speaking and airtime in their various programs (news broadcasts, magazines and other programs).

The executive branch of government is allocated one-third of total airtime.

Monitoring is carried out on a quarterly basis across all programs, taking into account the program's programming cycles.

In accordance with the provisions of article 13 of the French law of September 30, 1986, Arcom regularly publishes tables showing the speaking times of political figures in newscasts, magazines and other programs broadcast on television and radio stations.

On January 4, 2011, Arcom set out a managerial framework for the treatment of election news on radio and television, concerning on-air access for political figures.

These general provisions are specified for each election campaign by an additional Arcom notice. This text lays down specific rules for the election in question. The supplementary notice also lists the publishers required to send Arcom their weekly statements of speaking time.

The rules defined by Arcom during the election period generally apply for a period of six weeks prior to the vote. However, this period may be increased or reduced depending on the particularities of the election in question.

The notice applies to all radio and television services under Arcom's control, as long as they cover the election campaign in their broadcasts. This applies to all broadcasts (news programmes, news magazines and other news programmes).

Respect for fairness between lists of candidates or between the candidates themselves - and even respect for equality in the case of presidential candidates - is assessed by Arcom throughout the campaign period. In accordance with the case law of the Conseil d'Etat, Arcom may issue warnings or even formal notices in due course when it appears that the principle of fairness cannot be respected over the entire period, due to the imbalances already observed.

In accordance with the provisions of article 13 of the law of September 30, 1986, Arcom regularly publishes on its website tables relating to the speaking times of political personalities recorded in news and news bulletins, magazines and other news programmes on television and radio stations.

These data are published aggregated by political party in an open and reusable format as well as, since September 2016, in the form of lists showing details of interventions by political personality for cumulative times exceeding one minute.

The day before and on polling day, it is forbidden to show any message having the character of electoral propaganda, as indicated in the electoral code (paragraph 2 of article L49). No polls, results or electoral statements may be shown on air during this period, in order to avoid influencing voters' votes.

During this reserve period, TV channels and radio stations may show documentaries on the voting of candidates and personalities who support them, without giving them the floor. This ban also applies to Internet media.

Programs available prior to this date on TV channel and radio station websites or via an audiovisual medium on demand may remain accessible to the public.

The rule applicable to the announcement of results

In accordance with article L. 52-2 of the French Electoral Code, no results, partial or final, may be communicated to the public by any means before the shutdown of the last polling station in mainland France.

Find out more about the rules that TV channels and radio stations must respect in terms of political plurality by following this link.