Radio France is France’s public service radio broadcaster established in Paris in 1975. Today, it operates seven nationwide channels, including France Inter (its generalist station), the all-news channel France Info, France Culture, France Musique, and France Bleu, a network of regional channels.
Media assets
Radio: France Inter, France Info, France Culture, France Musique, France Bleu, FIP, Mouv’
State Media Monitor Typology: Independent State-Funded and State-Managed/Owned (ISFM)
Ownership and governance
Radio France is a state-owned national company. Its president is appointed by the Superior Audiovisual Council (CSA), the French media regulator controlled by state authorities. The French President appoints the CSA’s seven members.
The main governing body at Radio France is the Board of Directors, which consists of 13 members, including the station’s president. They all serve a five-year term. Among the 12 members, the CSA appoints four, four represent state bodies, two are MPs, and two are staff representatives.
The President of Radio France also leads the executive management of the station, which is composed of three bodies. These are the Comex, or the executive committee, which makes decisions about strategic issues related to the company; Codiram, which is in charge of human resources; and Codor, the Management Committee, which takes care of the daily operation of the station.
Source of funding and budget
In 2020, over 80% of Radio France’s budget came from the license fee paid by all French citizens. This fee funded various public media outlets in France. Radio France generated the remaining 20% of its budget through advertising and other commercial activities.
The total budget for Radio France in 2020 was €654.3m, with the license fee contributing €577.4m, which accounted for over 88% of the budget, as stated in the company’s annual report. In 2022, the station had a total budget of €566.4m, and more than 83% of that amount was covered by the revenues from the fee, according to the annual report.
The French government announced in May 2022 its plan to end the license fee, which was part of President Emmanuel Macron’s election promise to reduce various taxes. In the summer of 2022, the license fee was eliminated and replaced by a state budget subsidy funded by VAT receipts.
Editorial independence
Radio France is known for being editorially independent. No evidence of government control at the station has been found, and there are no legal provisions obliging Radio France to favor the government in its programs.
There is no specific law guaranteeing Radio France’s editorial independence. The broadcaster’s independence is ensured through its informal agreement that prevents authorities from making editorial requests to Radio France. When politicians attempt to influence the broadcaster, its management firmly reminds them they have no authority over the radio’s editorial decisions.
In 2017, Radio France established an ethics committee to enhance the broadcaster’s freedom and independence. The committee comprises five independent experts serving for three years.
August 2024