Invitation to a debate by candidates in the territorial elections of Saint-Barthélemy: response to a submission of a case before the court

The president of a radio station summoned Arcom's attention to the invitation extended to the heads of the lists of candidates for the territorial elections in Saint-Barthélemy, including himself as a candidate, to take part in a debate on the station's airwaves.

The deliberation of January 4, 2011 relating to the principle of political plurality during election periods stipulates that " When dealing with a given electoral constituency, publishers shall ensure that candidates or lists of candidates, personalities or the political parties and groupings that support them benefit from equitable presentation and access to the airwaves ".

Arcom considered that the scheme proposed by the radio station to the various candidates complied with the principle of fairness. A candidate's refusal to accept an invitation could not be construed as a breach of the publisher's obligations.

In addition, the AMF recalled that employees of publishers who are candidates must refrain from appearing on air or expressing themselves on air in the exercise of their duties from the opening of the official campaign, on Monday March 7, 2022, until the close of voting.