Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000734/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Catherine Griset (PfE)
The recent investigation against Bernard-Henri Lévy for unlawful conflict of interest has revealed potential abuses in the management of public funds for the audiovisual sector. Over his 30+ years as chair of ARTE France’s supervisory board, he is said to have received EUR 750 000 in funding from the channel for his own film productions.
This raises concerns over the lack of sufficient checks in the management of Europe’s public media, like ARTE, which is largely financed by taxpayers. Political interference and conflicts of interest have a detrimental impact on the sector’s transparency and independence, and thus undermine plurality and integrity of information.
- 1.Can the Commission say what measures it will take to ensure that media financed by European public funds comply with strict transparency and ethical rules?
- 2.Has it received information from the French and/or German authorities on the measures put in place to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that media receiving public funding are being managed independently?
Submitted: 18.2.2025