Budget bill amendments approved

During the examination of the 2027 budget bill, the National Assembly’s committees approved several amendments to boost funding for public audiovisual entities. These changes aim to strengthen financial support for organizations like France Télévisions, Radio France, and the INA, though some proposals for major funding cuts were turned down. The decisions are part of the committee stage and do not yet reflect final government positions.

Amendment boosts funding for public broadcasters

Amendment II-CF541, proposed by Denis Masséglia, seeks to increase funding for France Télévisions, Radio France, and the INA by 46.8 million euros. The amendment highlights concerns about the financial instability of France Télévisions and the risks to investments in audiovisual and cinematic projects. It also calls for compensation by reducing funding for Arte France and TV5 Monde, though Masséglia urges the government to avoid shifting resources from one organization to another.

Funding for international media group increases

Amendments II-CF540 and II-CF1810 aim to raise funding for France Médias Monde (FMM) by 6 million euros each. FMM operates France 24, RFI, and Monte Carlo Doualiya. The proposals argue that FMM’s financial situation has worsened despite cost-cutting and that it needs more support for its international missions, especially in Africa and the Middle East. Both amendments also seek to avoid reducing funding for development aid programs, which their authors want the government to reconsider.

Additional funding for FMM and TV5 Monde

Amendment II-CF465, proposed by Jean-Louis Roumégas, adds 13.9 million euros to FMM’s budget to align with its long-term financial plan. The amendment cites rising costs and the need for digital transformation. Separately, amendment II-CF467 seeks 2 million euros more for TV5 Monde, which has not seen a funding increase in three years. Roumégas also proposes 30 million euros to potentially revive France Ô, a channel that ceased broadcasting in 2020, to better represent overseas territories.

Fund to combat violence and discrimination in media

Amendment II-AC207, introduced by Sarah Legrain, proposes a new fund to combat sexual violence, racism, and discrimination in media and press. The fund would support prevention efforts, training, and support for victims. The amendment responds to concerns raised by media professionals and parliamentary reports on violence in the cultural sector, aiming to strengthen protections and support for those affected.

Transparency on external production

Amendment II-AC495, proposed by Aymeric Caron, would require France Télévisions to report on external production. It calls for new indicators in budget documents, including the share of programs produced by outside companies and details on employees with outside interests. The amendment seeks to improve transparency and identify potential conflicts of interest in the organization’s relationships with suppliers.

Funding increase to counter inflation

Amendment II-AC494, also by Aymeric Caron, requests 125.66 million euros to maintain the 2026 funding levels for six public audiovisual entities, adjusting for inflation. The amendment highlights concerns that budget cuts could harm programming, information, and digital initiatives. However, it includes a symbolic transfer of one euro from the INA to France Télévisions, and other amendments challenging proposed cuts were either rejected or remain unspecified.

Massive funding cuts rejected

Several amendments proposing drastic reductions in public audiovisual funding were rejected. Guillaume Kasbarian’s proposals to cut France Télévisions and Radio France by billions of euros were turned down. Jean-Philippe Tanguy’s amendment to reduce funding by 100 million euros for France Télévisions was also rejected. Another amendment proposing to eliminate public funding for the two groups was deemed unconstitutional and not voted on.