President Sarkozy proposes changes to France Télévisions president appointment

French president Nicolas Sarkozy has proposed changes to the appointment of the president of French public service broadcaster France Télévisions.

He wants the appointment to be made by the executive branch upon the agreement of the Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA) which regulates the French broadcast media.

The appointment would be subject to the approval of a qualified majority of parliamentarians.

The president is currently appointed by the CSA.

Some are unhappy with the proposed change. Dr. Agnes Callamard, ARTICLE 19’s Executive Director, said: “President Nicolas Sarkozy’s proposal, if implemented, will threaten the independence of the French Public Service Broadcaster and the free flow of information and ideas in the country."

"It also sends a very erroneous message and signal to countries with state-controlled media and to those in transition that may consider moving to public service broadcasting.”