The Minister of Culture spares neither the investigation committee nor the methods of CNews.

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The new Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard made her media debut on France Inter on Monday, March 30, after a challenging first experience at the 51st César awards ceremony.

Replacing Rachida Dati in the government, she distanced herself from her predecessor by affirming that she was different from Rachida Dati. This was most evident when she commented on the parliamentary investigation commission on public broadcasting.

Her response? “I’m not going to dwell on this investigation commission, I simply believe that there are times when boundaries are crossed in the way these debates are conducted.”

“I believe I am rather consensual and value discretion, and whenever I see places where people insult each other, I don’t think it benefits democracy or how we view each other,” said the former journalist turned president of the Palace of Versailles.

Asked about Vincent Bolloré, who was recently questioned by the commission, the minister mentioned CNews, owned by the conservative billionaire, and its recent racist comments towards the new mayor of Saint-Denis, Bally Bagayoko.

“Despicable and unacceptable attacks,” says Catherine Pégard

As the newly elected mayor plans to file a lawsuit against the news network, the Minister of Culture criticized CNews’ methods. “These are despicable and unacceptable attacks,” she confirmed, echoing the words of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez on RTL.

“It is quite intolerable to think that one could support such statements against someone who has just been elected,” continued Catherine Pégard. However, she stopped short of calling CNews an extreme right-wing channel, unlike France Télévisions President Delphine Ernotte. The minister was much more cautious, refusing to “pass judgments of this kind.”

“We cannot advocate for freedom of expression and information and engage in this kind of debate. At least, that’s not my role,” she said. When asked if she would appear on Pascal Praud’s show, she responded, “I don’t see why I wouldn’t go on other media outlets,” expressing hope to be able to “make proposals for everyone, always trying to come back to one thing: freedom of expression cannot go against the rules of law, civility, courtesy.”

“To me, this seems very, very important in deciding whether to accept or refuse to go somewhere,” concluded the minister. During the interview on France Inter’s morning show, she also commented on the reform plan for public broadcasting, aiming to create a holding company to bring together France Télévisions. An idea supported by Rachida Dati, which she believes should not be abandoned. However, Catherine Pégard hinted that such a measure was clearly not at the top of her priorities list, further distancing herself from the legacy of her predecessor.