Radio France staff strike over hiring of Valeurs Actuelles deputy editor

Staff at France’s public broadcaster Radio France began a two‑day strike on Sunday to protest the recent appointment of Charles Sapin as deputy editor‑in‑chief of the weekly Valeurs Actuelles, a publication identified with the far right. The walkout, organized by the broadcaster’s unions, follows accusations that Sapin has used his platform to promote extremist ideas in the run‑up to next spring’s presidential election.

Management has defended the hiring, arguing that including diverse political voices upholds the principle of pluralism within the media landscape. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between France’s public service broadcasters and unions over editorial independence and the perceived influence of far‑right commentary in mainstream outlets. The strike is scheduled to conclude after two days, with negotiations expected to continue.