“I was put in the closet, only good at doing sidewalk microphones”, at France Télévisions, the unions file a right of alert against their management

On October 31, France 3 broadcast a documentary entitled “ Burn-out, the path to healing “. Today we would almost see it as a premonitory sign.

This November 19, the Society of Journalists (SDJ) of the national editorial staff of France 3 spoke with Alexandre Kara, director of information at France Télévisions, Muriel Pleynet, director of the national editorial staff, and Audrey Guidez, director of human resources of information, after journalists complained of mistreatment. A week later, on the evening of November 26, the SNJ and SNJ-CGT unions of France Télévisions sent the editorial management a right of alert.

« This isn't the first one we've filedexplains Georges Pinol, union delegate of SNJ-CGT France Télévisions, we have already sent around ten ». But today it's different, we prove that this violence is systemic with our numerous testimonies », he says with a bit of hope.

Among these testimonies is that of Philippe (first name changed): “ France Télévisions has become a slaughterhouse,” he summarizes. “I traveled the planet, the theaters of war, then suddenly, I was put in the closet, only good at doing sidewalk microphones. It's incredibly violent “. This “group mistreatment”, to use the words of Georges Pinol, goes back several years.

Reproduction of elites after the merger

A turning point took place, between 2015 and 2017, during the merger of the editorial staff of France 3 national and France 2. “ The two antennas had significantly different editorial lines, and during the merger, France 2 somehow swallowed up France 3 », summarizes the union delegate. “ The vast majority of editors-in-chief came from the ranks of France 2, and a policy of elite reproduction was imposed within the joint editorial staff. ».

Despite the various warnings issued by the unions, many former France 3 journalists continue to pay the consequences of this merger, and describe real discomfort at work.

For Serge Climino, SNJ union delegate, this procedure aims to “ highlight what has been denounced for years, namely suffering at work caused by unbearable casting which damages the professionals and the humans behind it. » Carmelle, a journalist from the editorial staff wishing to remain anonymous, speaks « humiliation, downgrading, infantilization and mistreatment “. She declares “ being treated like a second-class journalist ».

As a first response to this right to alert, the director of human resources for information, Audrey Guidez, summoned the unions on Thursday, November 28, in the afternoon. But what happens next remains unclear for the moment: management can propose a joint investigation with the unions, an expertise carried out by an independent firm, or any other solution.

For their part, the unions hope “ an overview of practices with an audit. » And Serge Cimino goes even further: “in addition to wanting management to assume its responsibility for this suffering, the question of its continuation will arise. »

This climate within the France Télévisions editorial staff is worrying. The feelings of unhappiness at work, burn-out, employee closeting, echo the famous “suicide crisis” at Orange in 2008-2009, where Delphine Ernotte, CEO of France Télévisions since 2015, was then in responsibility. For the moment, this protest movement should not impact the programs of the group's channels.