(SenePlus) – In a powerful article published in the latest special issue of Le Monde Diplomatique, Serge Halimi and Pierre Rimbert paint an uncompromising portrait of Bernard-Henri Lévy (BHL) and his persistent influence on the Franco-German cultural channel Arte. Thirty years after his appointment as head of the supervisory board, BHL continues to spark debate and controversy.
On June 24, an event that almost went unnoticed marked a turning point in the history of Arte. As Halimi and Rimbert relate, “the scrupulous vigilance of Le Monde Diplomatique was almost caught out.” Indeed, BHL’s seventh term was coming to an end, with no apparent possibility of renewal. However, a last-minute statutory change allowed his reign to be extended, raising questions about the governance of the public channel.
The authors ironically point out that “the ceiling, consolidated by the chain, will apply to the next renewal of the presidency of the supervisory board.” This decision, taken at the last minute, demonstrates, according to them, the considerable influence that BHL continues to exercise over the institution.
The article highlights a potential conflict of interest, accusing Arte of being “a channel which subsidizes and broadcasts (on a loop) part of its work.” This situation raises legitimate questions about the editorial independence of the channel and the diversity of voices it represents.
Halimi and Rimbert also recall the philosopher’s involvement in various international conflicts, indicating that he “wanted France in Kigali in 1994.” This reference to the role of Bernard-Henri Lévy in the French positioning during the genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda underlines the extent of his influence beyond the media world, also affecting foreign policy.
The article also mentions criticisms of BHL by other intellectuals. He cites in particular Régis Debray, who describes him as “the most diligent and at the same time the most absent from those he believes himself to be”. This ambivalent characterization illustrates the complexity of the character and the mixed feelings he arouses in French intellectual circles.
Halimi and Rimbert conclude their article by broadening the debate. They invite deeper reflection on the role of media intellectuals in contemporary French society. BHL’s longevity at the head of Arte is presented as symptomatic of a system where certain intellectual figures exercise a disproportionate influence on cultural and media institutions.
Ultimately, this article from Le Monde Diplomatique raises fundamental questions about the governance of public media, editorial independence and the influence of intellectuals on politics and culture in France.
