French Journalist Accuses Inquiry Rapporteur of Distorting Testimony in Public Broadcasting Probe
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A leading French journalist,Patrick cohen,has formally accused the rapporteur of a parliamentary commission investigating public broadcasting of misrepresenting his statements and engaging in a malicious campaign too discredit him.The allegations, detailed in a letter sent monday, December 22nd, center on claims made by Charles Alloncle, a member of parliament with the Union of Republicans (LR), according to a report by Agence France-Presse. The letter, as reported by Agence France-Presse, highlights growing tensions surrounding the inquiry and raises questions about its impartiality.
Disputed Video and Allegations of Bias
The core of the dispute revolves around a video recorded without Cohen’s or his colleague Thomas Legrand’s knowledge, depicting them dining with Socialist Party executives. Alloncle reportedly claimed a bailiff’s report confirmed the video’s authenticity and that, despite editing, the remarks within were not distorted. Tho, Cohen asserts this is inaccurate, stating the bailiff’s report – as presented during the hearing – lacked the specific details cited by Alloncle.
“Mr. Alloncle maintains that…a bailiff’s report established that, despite editing cuts, the remarks were neither truncated nor distorted,” Cohen wrote in his letter. “This statement is inaccurate, the ‘bailiff’s report’ as it was revealed by a post from a journalist from L’Incorrect and read by me during the hearing does not include any of the terms used by the rapporteur.”
Accusations Regarding the Crépol Murder Case
The conflict extends to Cohen’s coverage of the tragic murder of young Thomas in Crépol. Alloncle allegedly stated Cohen “expressed NO regret” regarding an editorial he penned that was perceived as downplaying the severity of the incident.Cohen vehemently denies this, asserting the point was never raised during his testimony.
Moreover, Cohen refutes Alloncle’s claim that he “qualified Thomas’s relatives who came to show their pain in Romans-sur-Isère as ‘neo-Nazis.'” Cohen clarified that the individuals in question were not close to the victim and were, in fact, ultra-right activists – some identified as belonging to the neo-Nazi movement – who arrived “armed and hooded, to spread violence” in the city.
Concerns Over Accusations Against Rachida Dati
Cohen also takes issue with an interview Alloncle gave to the YouTube channel Les Incorrectibles, where the rapporteur described Cohen’s hearing as “perfectly lunar.” In the same interview, Alloncle accused Cohen of using public service broadcasting to “discredit Rachida Dati.” Cohen argues that while alloncle is free to make such accusations, he was never given the opportunity to respond to them during his hearing.
“Though, this question, which carries an extremely serious grievance, was not asked to me during my hearing. And I do not believe that it was demonstrated during this same hearing that Mme Rachida Dati has suffered unfavorable or denigrating treatment on public service broadcasts,” Cohen stated.
Separation of Powers and legal Proceedings
the journalist expresses deep concern over Alloncle’s involvement in ongoing legal proceedings related to the illegally obtained video. Alloncle, according to Cohen, “deplores that we have ‘filed a complaint’ and ‘shamelessly attacked colleagues’…for a completely fallacious reason.” Cohen counters that he was unaware a rapporteur possessed the authority to determine the legality of investigations.
“More seriously, by taking sides in ongoing legal proceedings, regarding an object (the stolen videos) that he himself placed at the center of his inquiry, I consider that the rapporteur has seriously disregarded the principle of separation of powers. And discredited in advance of the political conclusions that he seems to have already written,” Cohen concluded.
The escalating dispute casts a shadow over the parliamentary commission’s inquiry, raising serious questions about its objectivity and the fairness of its proceedings.
