"We must join forces": Radio France disrupted by an unlimited strike to oppose budget cuts and reform of public broadcasting

The call for a strike was filed by all the trade union organizations " to defend Radio France, its radio stations, its professions, its production, its musical groups , and to oppose the proposed holding company for public broadcasting," it is explained in a message published on the radio stations' websites and broadcast on air.

A rally is planned for 1:00 p.m. in front of the Maison de la Radio et de la Musique in Paris, called by trade unions, "against the holding company and the reorganizations underway at Radio France."

The unions reiterated their opposition on Wednesday to the government's plan to bring together public broadcasting companies, which they consider "extremely dangerous" , both for the future of employees and for the independence of information.

Delayed several times, this project will be examined in the National Assembly on Monday and Tuesday. It plans to create a holding company, France Médias, which would oversee France Télévisions, Radio France, and the INA (National Audiovisual Institute), under the authority of a CEO.

"Public audiovisual media, a common good"

It is supported by the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, who has stressed her determination to have it adopted.

"Public broadcasting is a common good whose forces must be united. Today, these forces are dispersed," said Ms. Dati on Sud Radio on Thursday morning, calling for "a coherent and coordinated strategy."

"The status quo is decline," she added.

At France Télévisions and INA, the unions are calling for a strike starting Monday .

At Radio France, the appeal is twofold: starting Thursday to denounce the "savings" within the company (including the shutdown of Mouv' radio on FM), then against the holding company project starting Monday.

For the unions, this double slogan is a way to distance themselves from the president of Radio France, Sibyle Veil, who is herself opposed to the government's project.