Amendment seeks extra funding for community radio

An amendment has been introduced to allocate an additional 3.7 million euros to support community radio stations in France. The proposal was submitted by deputy Pierrick Courbon, a member of the Socialists and Allies group, as part of the 2027 finance bill.

Amendment targets local radio funding

The amendment, labeled II-1814, aims to raise the total funding for the Fund for Supporting Local Radio Expression (FSER) from 35.3 to 39 million euros. This increase would be achieved by transferring funds from the "Book and Cultural Industries" program to the "Press and Media" program, following budget compensation rules.

Community radio faces financial strain

In his explanatory note, Courbon highlights that community radio stations are struggling with rising operational costs and the impact of inflation. He also points out that the number of aid requests to the FSER has increased slightly, from 781 in 2025 to 794 in 2026.

Amendment emphasizes media diversity

The amendment aims to protect a network of local radio stations that contribute to local news coverage, expression diversity, and media pluralism. These stations are seen as important for maintaining a varied and representative media landscape.

Previous proposal was rejected

This new initiative follows the rejection of a similar proposal by Courbon earlier in October, which was tabled in the Culture Committee under number II-AC457. The current amendment's inclusion in the budget will depend on the outcome of further parliamentary discussions.