Appointment of two new Arcom members and breakdown of working groups

Appointment of Bénédicte Lesage and Antoine Boilley

Ms. Bénédicte Lesage, appointed by the President of the French National Assembly, and Mr. Antoine Boilley, appointed by the President of the French Senate, were named members of the college of the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication by decree dated February 6, 2023.

The Chairman and the College of Arcom welcome the arrival of these two new members, whose diverse experience and excellent knowledge of the media world and creative challenges will be invaluable assets for the institution.

Read the biographies of Bénédicte Lesage and Antoine Boilley.

The new breakdown of working groups

Following these appointments, Arcom's working groups will henceforth be organized as follows:

Working group: Protection of the public and diversity of French society

Chairman: Laurence Pécaut-Rivolier

Vice-Chairman : Anne Grand d'Esnon

The group examines issues relating to the protection of audiences and the representation of French society in the audiovisual media and on The group examines issues relating to the protection of audiences and the representation of French society in the audiovisual media and on online platforms. In particular, it monitors the protection of persons under 18, respect for women's rights, the fight agains discrimination, and challenges relating to diversity, accessibility and the representation of disabilities. Its action also covers sports exposure, consumer protection and the defense of the French language in these same media.

Working group: Media education, ecological transition and public health

Chairwoman: Bénédicte Lesage Bénédicte Lesage

Vice-Chairman : Benoît Loutrel

The group coordinates the policy of Arcom and its regional delegations on media literacy, information and digital citizenship. In particular, it is in charge of awareness raising initiatives on copyright protection and responsible digital use. It also monitors issues linked to the ecological transition and the environmental impact of audiovisual and digital players, as well as those linked to the protection of public health in the media.

Working group: Audiovisual, cinematic and musical creation and production

Chairman: Antoine Boilley Antoine Boilley

Vice-Chairman: Juliette Théry Juliette Théry

The group studies issues relating to the development ofFrench and Europeanproduction and creation in the audiovisual media. It ensures that television and video-on-demand services comply with their obligations to broadcast and finance works, and respect copyright and neighboring rights.

It also oversees the application of rules governing the diffusion by radio services of original EOF songs and the promotion of musical diversity. Finally, it takes an interest in debates on the promotion of musical diversity by online music services.

Working group: Pluralism and ethics in news and programs

Chairwoman: Anne Grand d'Esnon Anne Grand d'Esnon

Vice-Chairman: Denis Rapone Denis Rapone

The group ensures that audiovisuel service editors respect plurality in the expression of currents of thought and opinion. It also ensures compliance with their obligations in terms of program ethics, particularly with regard to the honesty and independence of news, rights and freedoms, and the dignity of the individual.

Working group: Supervision of online platforms

Chairman: Benoît Loutrel

Vice-Chairman: Antoine Boilley Antoine Boilley

The group is responsible for the regulation and supervision of online platforms, particularly in terms of fighting agains information manipulation and hateful, unlawful and harmful content. In particular, it monitors the implementation of the European regulation on digital services. In this field, it coordinates Arcom's relations and work with the research community.

Working group: Radio and digital audio

Chairman: Hervé Godechot

Vice-Chairman: Bénédicte Lesage Bénédicte Lesage

The group deals with all issues concerning the economic and technological development of radio services, both private and public: DAB+ deployment strategy and FM landscape development, frequency planning models, calls for tender, application and development of agreements.

It is also responsible for analyzing and supporting economic and competitive changes in the sector and its uses, in particular the podcast market.

Working group: Publishing and distribution of television and on-demand audiovisual media services

Chairwoman: Juliette Théry Juliette Théry

Vice-Chairman: Hervé Godechot

The group is responsible for all national and local television services and on-demand audiovisual media services (SMAD), both private and public. It examines decisions concerning market access for these services, their authorization and agreement, and calls for applications.

It is also responsible for questions concerning the diffusion and distribution of audiovisuel services, in particular those relating to their takeover and numbering. It oversees the modernised digital terrestrial television platform.

More generally, within its remit, it deals with economic regulation and competition challenges.

Working group: Protection of rights on the Internet

Chairman: Denis Rapone Denis Rapone

Vice-Chairman: Laurence Pécaut-Rivol Laurence Pécaut-Rivolier

The group deals with issues relating to the implementation of measures to protect cultural and sports-related contdnt on the Internet. It promotes agreements with intermediaries likely to help fight piracy, and evaluates their application.

It ensures that the development of legal cultural and sports supplies is encouraged , and is involved in the design and deployment of tools to guide Internet users towards these supplies.

The group is also responsible for regulating technical measures for identifying copyright-protected content, in particular automatic content recognition technologies implemented by platforms.