Radio France and France Télévisions File Defamation Lawsuits Against Bolloré Media Outlets

On November 18, 2025, French public broadcasters Radio France and France Télévisions took legal action against Vincent Bolloré’s media group, filing defamation lawsuits against the outlets CNews, Europe 1, and Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD). The lawsuits were filed in a commercial court and are a direct response to what the public broadcasters described as a "systematic smear campaign" conducted by Bolloré’s media properties.

This legal dispute stems from media coverage following the 2025 Legrand-Cohen affair, involving a leaked video from September in which journalists Thomas Legrand and Patrick Cohen were seen engaging with Socialist Party representatives. Bolloré’s outlets reportedly used this video and associated narratives to negatively portray the public broadcasters, accusing them of political bias favoring the left.

According to reports from AFP and Le Figaro, Radio France and France Télévisions seek to address the defamatory nature of the accusations and the harmful impact on their reputations. The media group Bolloré has been accused by the public companies of orchestrating the smear campaign as part of longstanding tensions between private and public media in France. The lawsuit marks a significant escalatory step in the conflict, reflecting deep divisions within the French media landscape.

Neither Radio France nor France Télévisions has publicly commented further on the lawsuits since their filing. Meanwhile, the case highlights ongoing debates about media freedom, journalistic ethics, and political influences within French audiovisual media.

This development underscores the volatile relationship between France’s public and private media groups, with Vincent Bolloré’s substantial influence through outlets like CNews, Europe 1, and JDD being central to the dispute. The legal proceedings are expected to unfold in the coming months, potentially shaping the dynamics of French media and public discourse.