Arcom adopts deliberation on respect for the principle of plurality of schools of thought and opinion in the audiovisual media

Context

The French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication is today publishing a deliberation on respect for the principle of plurality of currents of thought and opinion.

The law of September 30, 1986 stipulates that it is the regulator's responsibility to guarantee the plurality of information and the programs that contribute to it, and to ensure respect for the pluralist expression of currents of thought and opinion in the programs of service editors, in particular for political and general news programmes.

In its decision of February 13, 2024, the Conseil d'Etat ruled that, in carrying out this mission, Arcom must take into account the diversity of currents of thought and opinion expressed by all participants in the programs shown. This renewed and broader interpretation of plurality strengthens the powers of the regulator.

After extensive consultations and exchanges, Arcom has adopted a deliberation aimed at specifying the conditions for implementing the Conseil d'Etat's decision.

The content of the deliberation of July 17, 2024

The deliberation of July 17, 2024 applies to all audiovisual media, both public and private, and complements existing schemes, such as those governing political plurality, the honesty and independence of information and the treatment of controversial issues.

It will lead Arcom to assess whether there is a clear and lasting imbalance in the expression of currents of thought and opinion, based on an array of clues: the diversity of speakers, themes and points of view expressed.

This assessment will focus in particular on news programmes or programmes contributing to news, but will apply to all programmes. It will be carried out over a minimum period of 3 months for all publishers and 1 month for all-news channels.

The deliberations adopted today will in no way lead to the qualification or classification of on-air contributors with regard to currents of thought or different sensitivities. Publishers will not be required to set up a declaratory scheme.

Arcom intends to reiterate the primacy of freedom of communication, of which it is the guarantor by law. As a result, publishers are solely responsible for choosing the themes and speakers they broadcast, in compliance with the applicable legal, regulatory and contractual provisions.

The deliberation concerning the respect of the principle of plurality of currents of thought and opinion by service editors