The news was experienced as a hammer blow. As part of the draft Finance Act 2025 (PLF), the Barnier government planned to reduce the Radio Expression Support Fund (FSER) by 10 million euros (almost a third).
After numerous cries of alarm launched by community radio stations and local elected officials, the executive backed down and had to restore the credits allocated to this fund “to the level which was theirs in 2024”, or around 35 million euros. But following the motion of censure and the formation of a new government, it is difficult to say precisely what this PLF 2025 will become.
« 40% of your budget »
In this context, the Landes community radio stations are worried. The Radio Expression Support Fund is “vital” to these radio stations “close to [leurs] listeners and who offer another voice”, as Moïse Gaye, director of Radio Bonne Nouvelle (RBN), based in Saint-Laurent-de-Gosse, likes to remind us. In 2024, RBN obtained “38,000 euros” from the Support Fund, which represents “40%” of its operating budget.
Same feeling for Souvenirs FM, which has two frequencies: 88.6 for Grand Dax and Chalosse; and 97 for Soustons and the South Coast of Landes. In 2024, this radio obtained 38,000 euros for the first frequency and 20,000 for the second, which is also equivalent to “at least 40% of [son] operating budget,” underlines Sylvie Fages, manager of Souvenirs FM.
Bernard Labat is president of the Seignosse FM association, which manages Côte sud FM. In 2024, this associative radio received 15,000 euros from the FSER, but also 5,500 euros from the Maremne Adour South Coast Community of Communes. “Our annual operating budget is around 12,700 euros. This FSER is essential because it allows us to build projects. »
For Radio MDM, which has six employees and around sixty volunteers, this support fund even represents up to “70%” of its operating budget. “In 2024 we got around 100,000 euros. Without this fund, our radio would have disappeared,” explains Benjamin Lobet, volunteer president of the Mons radio.
Selective criteria
However, those responsible emphasize, these community radio stations are a real added value for society because they participate in “the plurality of information”. To obtain this assistance, they must put together a large file. The amount awarded is calculated based on the subjects and the different partnerships established.
Local life, the integration of disabled people, the environment, eco-citizenship, sustainable development and sports and cultural associations are among the key themes which make it possible to obtain more funds.
“It has been several years since we established a partnership with Les Amis du théâtre de Dax (ATP). At least ten times a year, actors, directors and others come to talk about their play,” illustrates Sylvie Fages.
In its program “The guest of 12/1 p.m.”, Souvenirs FM welcomes local news players such as artists, associations or politicians. According to Moïse Gaye, director of Radio Bonne Nouvelle (RBN), community radio stations are also a “vector of meetings by working with the Youth and Culture Centers, the Maisons pour tous”, without forgetting to mention that they were the first to “doing media and information education”.
