Guillaume Meurice is no longer part of the France Inter teams. Indeed, the comedian’s future has been in limbo since his slip-up in October 2023 when he compared Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, to a “a kind of Nazi, without foreskin”.
This outing earned him a warning after his refusal to apologize before causing suspense on May 2, 2024 when he again reiterated his comments about the Israeli Prime Minister at the end of April. The comedian was finally fired for “serious misconduct” by Radio France, after being summoned to a disciplinary committee on May 30.
The president of France Inter explains the choice of radio concerning Guillaume Meurice
This Wednesday, June 12, 2024, Adèle Van Reeth, president of France Inter, was the guest of Yann Barthès in Daily to evoke this eviction. The latter first assured that she would also have left her position if she had considered that “this decision violated freedom of expression on France Inter”.
“Guillaume Meurice does not fall foul of the law, he is not fired for a joke but for his attitude following this joke,” she subsequently clarified to Yann Barthès before assuring: “When he repeats this joke, he knows he will expose himself to complications”.
Adèle Van Reeth also recalls that Radio France was entitled to a sanction from Arcom because of the comments made by the comedian about Benyamin Netanyahu. Despite these clarifications, Yann Barthès and the teams of Daily clearly did not understand the decision taken against Guillaume Meurice.
Adèle Van Reeth loses her temper
“It’s crazy that I have to justify myself actually, that’s what’s crazy”railed Adèle Van Reeth in the face of the journalists’ incomprehension before continuing: “We find ourselves in 2024, when a woman runs a powerful media outlet, we are constantly suspected of making decisions based either on power, on opinion lobbies or on my partner. That’s crazy ! »
Faced with the annoyance of his guest, Yann Barthès then explained that he would have asked the same questions in the event that a man was in the management of France Inter.
“We are independent and free. Only a public service media can have such independence”then clarified Adèle Van Reeth before concluding: “When you ask me if I received pressure, it’s deadly to let people think that. France Inter is the most independent station in this regard because we do not depend on anyone”all in a more peaceful climate.
