Charles Sapin Withdraws from France Inter Editorial Amid Staff Strike

Charles Sapin, deputy director of the conservative magazine Valeurs actuelles, announced on September 19, 2026, that he would no longer deliver his Sunday morning editorial segment on France Inter. This decision came as the radio station's management proposed replacing his editorial with a debate format, a move Sapin rejected, calling it a "vicious circle."

Sapin's initial editorial slot sparked significant internal resistance at Radio France, leading to a strike by employees who protested his participation on the public radio platform. The controversy arose following the creation of Sapin’s Sunday morning segment, which many staff perceived as a source of division.

The management of Radio France confirmed to Libération that Sapin had indeed decided to forgo his radio appearances. The tension highlights ongoing challenges within France Inter regarding editorial control and media personnel choices, reflecting broader debates about media independence and political influence in public broadcasting.

While the management had suggested transforming the editorial into a debate segment to perhaps diffuse tensions, Sapin chose not to engage further, signaling uncertain prospects for his future involvement with the station as the strike continues.

This episode underscores growing discord in French public media, balancing journalistic freedoms with workplace harmony, and raises questions about the direction and policies at France Inter in handling controversial figures.