Investigation established by UDR party to look at ‘neutrality, workings and financing’ of state TV and radio

The French public broadcaster is at the centre of a political row as a parliamentary inquiry examines the “neutrality, workings and financing” of state TV and radio, while the media are expected to play a significant role ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The rightwing UDR party, an ally of Marine Le Pen’s far-right the National Rally (RN), set up the inquiry amid far-right claims that public TV and radio has a bias against them. Le Pen, whose party is expected to reach the final round of the presidential race, has said “there is a clear problem with neutrality in the public service broadcasting” and that she would like to privatise it.

The French parliamentary inquiry, which will run until March, comes amid tension over public broadcasting in Europe – with Trump suing the BBC for up to $10bn over cuts to a 6 January speech, and unions at the Italian public broadcaster saying Giorgia Meloni’s rightwing government had too much control.