will opinion prevail over information?

2023-11-30 15:42:02

The note, published internally at the beginning of November, caused many teeth to cringe in the corridors of BFMTV. The channel’s journalists share their ” worry ” about the “room left for opinion and debate of ideas”, to the detriment of information. The recipient: Marc-Olivier Fogiel, director of the channel.

The growing porosity between information (proven, verified and sourced facts) and opinions (more subjective columns, comments or debates) undoubtedly contributes to the distrust of the French towards the media, noted once again in the latest barometer published by The cross, November 22. And 24-hour television news channels are on the front line: 42% of respondents do not trust them – compared to 28% for regional press titles and 30% for the national press.

EXCLUSIVE???? @The cross reveals the results of its latest barometer on French people’s trust in the media #BaroMedia

This year there has been a marked increase in public interest in current affairs.

With @KantarFR and on the occasion of #[e-mail]/XBNjVQC7NG

— La Croix (@LaCroix) November 22, 2023

“Information and opinions are legitimate and part of the history of the press. The problem is that the balance has been upset. Particularly in the media empire of Vincent Bolloré”, estimates media historian Alexis Lévrier. For him, the French billionaire is inspired by Rupert Murdoch, an Australian-American industrialist who notably reigns over Fox News, the flagship channel of the conservative movement in the United States and a great supporter of Donald Trump during his presidential term (2017-2021).

CNews, symbol of a transformation

” What Le Journal du Dimanche (title purchased in 2023 by Vincent Bolloré, Editor’s note) turns into an opinion newspaper, this proves that the measures which protect journalists are insufficient. That said, as the owner, he theoretically has the right to transform the title,” adds Alexis Lévrier. On the other hand, in the audiovisual sector, the problem arises differently.

“Conventions exist and are extremely precise concerning information channels, with the first rule being to provide information, recalls the essayist and historian. The frequencies occupied by these channels do not belong to manufacturers, but to the State. They therefore have to be held accountable,” in particular to the Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication (Arcom). “But very often there is only a flash of information from time to time, between long moments of debate. From my point of view, conventions are not respected. »

Profitability and ideology

Behind the space given to opinion – and to infotainment, a genre combining information and entertainment – ​​often lies a desire to reduce costs. “Sending journalists to report is expensive,” explains Natacha Polony, journalist and director of the magazine Marianne. Bringing together commentators on a set, some of whom are not paid, is necessarily less expensive. Audience research also leads to “come from radical and extremist profiles who are talked about beyond the airwaves”, judge Alexis Lévrier.

“CNews has launched something new in Francebelieves Natacha Polony. It went from a news channel to an opinion media, which did not previously exist in the television offering. » Jean-Michel Aphatie, political columnist for the show “Quotidien”, on TMC, is not alarmed: “Should we be concerned about having a multitude of opinions in a country that claims to be a democracy? I’m not sure of it. »

The reflection then focuses more on the professional ethics of those who practice the exercise of commentary. “The difference between the commercial café and the work of an editorialist, who handles the long term of knowledge and the short period of information, lies above all in the work of preparing broadcasts and in the refusal to talk about subjects on which we do not doesn’t feel legitimate”judge Natacha Polony.

“The temptation is to talk about everything, about everything, all the time, agrees Jean-Michel Aphatie. But generally, those who don’t work are quickly spotted. In France, we have very good editorial writers and very good journalists, which is fortunate. »

The French, moreover, are rather favorable to committed journalists, according to the barometer The cross-Kantar on trust in the media. Two thirds (67%) of those surveyed consider it positive, for freedom of expression and information, that the media and journalists are transparent about the causes that are close to their hearts. And 58% believe that this contributes to the quality and reliability of the information delivered. They appreciate, in some way, that the transmitter of information is clearly located.

The public, the first defender of opinion?

The evolution of CNews obviously poses a problem for its competitors. “BFM, which did not have this tradition, is starting to do the same thing, notes Alexis Lévrier. LCI has an opposite bias, particularly on the Ukrainian conflict, favoring war reporting. » The same goes for public service.

“When the Franceinfo news channel was launched in 2016, the ambition was to be the anti-BFM/CNews, relying on the journalistic expertise of the editorial staffconfides an internal source. But gradually, with pure debate shows like “Les Informés”, the channel gave up part of its objectives. » In question, the ambivalence of the audience. “Viewers criticize “toutologues” who debate all subjects, all day long. But they still look at them,” points out, a little annoyed, the journalist.

More demanding? The public could be, believes Natacha Polony, “but let’s be aware that, when leaving their working day, many cannot necessarily devote energy to it”. “We saw it during the Covid period. Lacking a feeling of control over the information, some have stopped getting information or have favored spectacle over demanding information that gives food for thought. »

“We must not take the French for stupider than they are, analyzes Jean-Michel Aphatie. Everyone is capable of distinguishing between information given to us and an analysis from a commentator. »

Through the success of opinion shows, the risk would be to see, in the future, the multiplication of niche media, which only speak to their listeners, with a public accepting less and less the facts which contradict its opinions. A future “dangerous for democracy”, judge Natacha Polony.

And to quote Charles Péguy in 1913 in The Fortnightly Notebooks : « A magazine is only alive if it dissatisfies a good fifth of its subscribers each time. Justice consists only in the fact that it is not always the same people who are in the fifth. »

———–

67% of French people believe that the fact that certain media or journalists claim commitment is a good thing for freedom of expression and freedom of information.

58% also think that it is a good thing for the quality and reliability of the information delivered, according to the latest barometer. The cross-Kantar on trust in the media.