The National Rally snubs BFMTV to protest against the hiring of a journalist

The National Rally has decided to refuse all invitations on BFMTV until further notice. Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen protest against the arrival on the channel of a journalist from the program "Quotidien" on TMC who will soon be responsible for following the news of the RN.

The RN accuses the journalist of leading "a militant fight". Here Marine Le Pen on the set of BFMTV in March 2022. AFP - DENIS CHARLET

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Rarely in the recent history of the media has relations been so degraded between a political party and a television channel. The elected representatives of the National Rally are now forbidden to respond to the solicitations of BFMTV, whether for "sets" in the studio, "duplex", or "interviews". In question: the hiring of journalist Sophie Dupont, who must leave the program Quotidien, broadcast every night on TMC, to join the political service of BFMTV and follow the National Rally.

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After having exposed to the management of the channel our greatest reluctance towards a journalist who has been professionally leading for several years a militant and political fight against us, BFMTV chooses in conscience to confirm this choice. ", lamented the leadership of the RN in a message sent to the "main speakers" of the party.

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She is not a journalist, but a political activist " says a party communicator who complains of "disgusting" behavior. "She makes fun of our activists in her reporting," continues this close to Jordan Bardella, who notes a series of alleged failures of the channel in recent months. Truncated remarks in particular.

Interviewed by AFP, a party official said it was not a "boycott", but a "moratorium". Discussions would be initiated between the party leadership and the channel's management. "We are asking for normal treatment with follow-up like all other parties," he continues, acknowledging that the appointment of Sophie Dupont is "the straw" that breaks the camel's back.

On numerous occasions in recent years, journalists have already been denied access to events organized by the RN. Marine Le Pen, who aspires to come to power, therefore very clearly claims a right of scrutiny over the journalists who follow her.

>> Read also: Politics, the choice of the week – Marine Le Pen and the media: a turn?

(

And with AFP)

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