Experts in journalism ethics are still arguing: is a journalism school in the hands of great captains of industry likely to train truly independent journalists?
The Paris School of Journalism (ESJ Paris) was delighted, Friday, November 15, with its takeover by the most prominent French entrepreneurs. From Financière Agache of Bernard Arnault (owner of Parisianof the Echos and of Paris Match) at CMA Média (BFM-TV, Provence) by Rodolphe Saadé, from Compagnie de l’Odet by Vincent Bolloré (Canal+, Europe 1, Prisma, The Sunday Journal…) to Stanislas and Godfrey de Bentzmann (Devoteam, 189e fortune of France according to the magazine Challenges), from the Koodenvoi investment fund of the Habert-Dassault family to the Bayard Presse group of the Catholic religious congregation of the Assumptionists… numerous figures of French capitalism have joined forces to buy the business of the one that a press release presents as “the oldest school of journalism in the world” – founded in 1899, the establishment did not then provide training in journalism.
ESJ Paris has nothing to do with ESJ Lille, which celebrated its centenary on November 9. It is not among the fourteen schools of journalism recognized by the profession, unlike the northern school and the CFJ Paris, both non-profit associations under the 1901 law, or the University Center for Journalism Education (CUEJ ) of Strasbourg, the Sciences Po journalism school, the Bordeaux Aquitaine Institute of Journalism (IJBA), etc. which are connected to universities.
“It’s something new”
In its press release, ESJ Paris prides itself on having “seen prestigious teachers such as Anatole France, Charles Péguy, Maurice Ravel, Raymond Poincaré, Maurice Schumann and Gaston Doumergue”. For its relaunch, it displays an objective that is as ambitious as it is clear: “Strengthen its position of reference in the field of journalism education, particularly in economics. »
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At the origin of this transaction, we find Vianney d'Alançon, 38 years old, called to take over as president of the training center. The entrepreneur, involved in this takeover through Financière de la Lance, is the creator of the “Rocher Mistral” amusement park, located in Bouches-du-Rhône and nicknamed the “Puy du fou Provençal”, condemned in February 2024 by the Aix-en-Provence criminal court for attacks on town planning, heritage and the environment. He appealed this judgment.
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