Media minister denounces 'gestapo' comparison targeting RTBF journalists
The Media minister of the French Community, Jacqueline Galant of MR, has condemned the portrayal of journalists at French-speaking public broadcaster RTBF as gestapo agents. Last month, MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez reposted a message comparing RTBF journalists to "militant gestapo officials" on his X account, prompting a wave of outrage.
"I say this with the utmost firmness: no disagreement, no criticism, no dissatisfaction with a public institution, whatever it may be, can justify an assimilation with the Nazi political police," Galant told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday. She said she had spoken with RTBF chief executive Jean-Paul Philippot to express her "deep disgust" at the comparison.
Interviewed by Le Soir on Saturday, Bouchez said he had never intended to repost the disputed message, but rather another post to which it was linked. Asked by opposition MPs about her party leader's conduct, Galant said he had been "very clear" in the interview that he had not meant to endorse the message.
In an interview with Trends-Tendances conducted after the controversy over the "gestapo" remarks, Bouchez added that, if it were up to him, he would abolish RTBF, accusing it of unfair competition with private media. The proposal was immediately and publicly rejected by Les Engagés leader Yvan Verougstraete, MR's majority partner in the French Community.
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It is not the first time Bouchez has come under fire for comments about journalists. Last year, he was criticised by the Association of Professional Journalists for "making unacceptable physical threats" against a RTBF journalist. The incident was mentioned in a report on rising pressure on journalists in Europe published this week.
Last month, Galant herself survived a motion of no confidence linked to remarks about the French-language public broadcaster. Addressing liberal activists in Walloon Brabant, the minister said she hoped the upcoming replacement of two senior RTBF figures would shift the broadcaster's editorial line further to the right.
Her comments drew sharp criticism. RTBF journalists protested and the European Federation of Journalists raised the matter with the Council of Europe.
Jacqueline Galant © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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