Media minister under fire after comments about 'leftist' Francophone broadcaster RTBF
The minister president of the French Community, Elisabeth Degryse of the centrist party Les Engagés, has called media minister Jacqueline Galant of liberal party MR to account following “inappropriate comments” about the Francophone public broadcaster RTBF. Galant made critical comments about RTBF's approach, which she considers too leftist. Differing views are leading to increasing friction between the coalition partners Les Engagés and MR.
At a recent discussion evening with supporters of the MR, media minister Jacqueline Galant spoke about the imminent departure of Jean-Paul Philippot and Jean-Pierre Jacqmin, respectively the administrator-general and the director of information at the RTBF. “We hope that these changes will enable us to take a different path, one that goes to the other side of the political spectrum,” the minister replied to a question from the audience about the “too leftist attitude” of RTBF journalists.
"These people have been in their positions for too long. A system has been created,” she also said about Philippot and Jacqmin. “There are many “gauchos” (left-wing people, ed.) among the new generation of journalists,” she added.
“We hope these changes will enable us to take a different path, one that goes to the other side of the political spectrum"
The MR politician then lashed out at the current chair of the board of directors, Joëlle Milquet of Les Engagés, whom she considers “as leftist as possible”. According to Galant, Milquet “is full of admiration for the socialists”. “If she can bother us, she won't hesitate to do so,” said the minister. “Standing up to her is a daily task.” Galant also indicated that the MR board members on the RTBF board of directors must set things right.
Minister president of the French Community Elisabeth Degryse, from coalition partner Les Engagés, responded angrily. In a fiery communiqué, she accuses Galant of “inappropriate and offensive remarks”. Degryse “strongly regrets and condemns these statements. A minister of media is expected to guarantee press freedom and the independence of the press.”
Degryse announced that she would be calling Galant to account “to remind her of the importance of respect for journalists, the RTBF and its board of directors.”
"A minister of media is expected to guarantee press freedom and the independence of the press”
This is not the first time that the liberals of MR have come under fire for criticising the RTBF. Relations between the French-speaking public broadcaster and the largest majority party have been particularly tense since the beginning of the legislative term. Last summer, the RTBF accused MR leader Bouchez of threatening one of their journalists with physical violence in response to errors in an article.
After the 2024 elections, MR and Les Engagés quickly formed an alliance to join the governments in both French-speaking Belgium and at the federal level. However, differing views on issues such as culture and different leadership styles have led to increasing friction in recent months. Les Engagés' decision to abandon the MR in Brussels in order to attempt a left-wing coalition further soured relations.
Francophone media minister Jacqueline Galant © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND