Deliberation No. 2017-62 of November 22, 2017 on the principle of political plurality in radio and television services.

The French Superior Audiovisual Council,

Having regard to Act no. 86-1067 of September 30, 1986, as amended, on freedom of communication, in particular articles¹, 3-1 and 13;

Having regard to the decision of the Conseil d'Etat giving a ruling no. 311136 of April 8, 2009;

After deliberation,

Decides :

Article¹

Providers of radio and television services shall respect the following principle of political plurality:

I. - Interventions by the President of the Republic, his aides and members of the Government

Publishers shall take into account statements by the President of the Republic which, by virtue of their content and context, fall within the scope of national political debate, as defined in the Conseil d'Etat's decision of April 8, 2009, as well as statements by his aides.

The combined speaking time of the President of the Republic, his aides and members of the Government must correspond to one-third of the total speaking time.

II. - Interventions by political parties and groupings

For contributions not covered by I, publishers must ensure that political parties and groupings expressing the major orientations of national political life are given equitable airtime with regard to their representativeness, in particular the results of electoral consultations, the number and categories of elected representatives associated with them, the size of groups in Parliament and indications from opinion polls, and their contribution to stimulating national political debate.

III. - Exceptional situations

Exceptional situations may be taken into account in the Board's assessment of the breakdown in speaking time.

IV. - Local plurality

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, in local diffusion programs, plurality must be ensured in the treatment of local political affairs, taking into account local political balances.

Article 2

The speaking time referred to in Article 1 is understood to be the sole time during which a personality speaks.

Article 3

In accordance with article 13 of the aforementioned law of September 30, 1986, speaking time is recorded and transmitted on a monthly basis. Each quarter, the Conseil assesses compliance with the principle of political plurality in all programs, taking into account the programming cycles.

Article 4

This resolution will be effective from January^1, 2018. The deliberation of July 21, 2009 on the principle of political plurality in radio and television services is abrogated on the same date.

Article 5

The present deliberation will be published in the Official Journal of the French Republic.

Paris, November 22, 2017.

For the French Superior Audiovisual Council :

Le président,

O. Schrameck