Last Friday, the Stop Bolloré collective organized its first meeting.
Their goal: to make the independence of the media and publishing a theme of the presidential campaign.
Journalists, lawyers, authors, publishers and many other professions have mobilized.
But why this concern for editorial production?
On February 9, 2022, Antoine Gallimard, however discreet in the media, made his concern public, live on France Inter.
"It's a real tsunami", explains the president of the eponymous editions: if the number 1 (Hachette) and the number 2 (Editis) of the edition merge, Bolloré could control 84% of extracurricular publications, 74% of textbooks , and about 65% of paperbacks.
The Bolloré empire or the archetype of an economic model
But the concerns are not just about Bolloré.
There is, behind this mega merger, an economic model that some describe as deleterious.
Marion Mazauric, founder and director of independent publishing house Au Diable Vauvert, torpedoes the current system: “We need laws that limit the weight of industrial groups in editorial production, we cannot let the production of ideas depend on industrial capital .
»
However, on January 20, 2022, during his hearing at the commission of inquiry into media concentration, Vincent Bolloré defended himself: “Our interest is not political, is not ideological, it is a purely economic interest. .
".
Should this statement reassure the publishing world?
Not according to David Dufresne: “Even before ideology, the first danger is that of industrialization,” he asserts.
The ex-journalist applies today to tell the world through fiction.
He is the author of
7:59 p.m.
, a dystopia very inspired by France in 2022.
The question of the distribution of books
But David Dufresne is not fatalistic.
He considers that there are enough independent publishers to enforce plurality.
He is especially worried about the broadcasting monopoly.
The stage of dissemination of a work accompanies its distribution.
While the distributor takes care of stock logistics, the distributor is responsible for the visibility of the work and its promotion at points of sale.
The main publishing groups have their associated distribution and distribution company – Hachette Distribution for Hachette and Interforum for Editis.
If the two subsidiaries merge, circulation could focus on bestsellers, to the detriment of small and intermediate sales.
In addition to publishing and distribution, Marion Mazauric worries about the promotion of books.
She would like the simultaneous ownership of media and publishing houses to be prohibited.
Today, the judiciary does not legislate on this point.
This therefore allows horizontal and vertical control of the publishing market: from publication to media coverage.
At Hachette, "it's total vagueness"
At Hatier, a publishing house owned by Hachette, we don't speculate and we wait.
Olivia Bertrand, head of distribution, tempers the fears of the sector: “It is especially the independent editions which are crushed by the large distribution groups.
And this for financial reasons.
But when a publishing house like ours joins a group, it is not neglected: these works are also promoted.
".
According to her therefore, even after a takeover, commercial distribution strategies will not be able to harm the houses of the Hachette group.
At Didier editions, also owned by Hachette, we do not believe in “a dismantling of the number 1 edition”.
Considered counter-productive, this strategy does not worry more than reason.
But even if all the editions of the Hachette group remain united, a possible takeover raises “some concerns”.
Could working methods and teams be changed?
What would be the consequences on publications and sales?
"It's a total blur".
Independent publishing: an insufficiently armed arm
On the side of independent publishing, the growth of the monopoly raises a clear concern.
Marion Mazauric founded Au Diable Vauvert editions in 2000.
In 2021 she is one of the signatories of the “Stop Bolloré” petition.
Faced with the low hand of industrialists on editorial production, she protests: “We cannot let publishing become an instrument of power.
She encourages every citizen to become aware of this model which she considers dangerous for democracy.
Laurence de Cock, historian and youth author was also present at the meeting of the collective.
On the stage, she asks a moral question: Should authors stop publishing with Bolloré?
Manon Mazauric obviously preaches for her parish and believes that authors can turn to independent publishing houses.
But she is lucid.
A total boycott is impossible, Bolloré has too many big names in publishing.
The members of the collective thus hope for an awakening of consciences which can allow a citizen outburst capable of provoking political and legal action, so that their profession is not drowned in the logic of the market.
Antoine Gallimard summed it up as follows: “We do the job of a craftsman.
We don't do a big industrial job.
The industrial economic approach does not make sense.
»
Media
"Stop Bolloré": On the eve of his (possible) retirement, a collective denounces the billionaire's "empire" and "ideology"
Media
Cyril Petit will leave the editorial management of the "JDD" on May 13
Vincent Bollore
Television
Media
Culture
0 comment
0 share
Share on Messenger
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Flipboard
Share on Pinterest
Share on Linkedin
Send by Mail
To safeguard
A fault ?
To print