On Our Radar

RTBF

27 February 2026

On Our Radar this week, we’re alarmed by the latest inflammatory remarks directed at RTBF’s journalists and editorial teams by the MR party leader.

On Our Radar this week…

Belgium’s French-language public media has been targeted with deeply inflammatory rhetoric after MR party president Georges-Louis Bouchez amplified an anonymous post attacking RTBF staff and calling for the broadcaster’s funding to be withdrawn. RTBF has since said it “is outraged by the insulting, outrageous, and unacceptable remarks” directed at its teams, stressing that “an independent public service media outlet remains an essential pillar of democratic life.” PMA stands with its member RTBF, echoing its reminder that this reality “also implies a particular responsibility on the part of political leaders” given their position and the impact of their words. We also support RTBF’s pledge to take all necessary measures, both editorial and legal, to protect its staff, its public mission, and democratic norms.

This episode comes in an already heated climate: in January, Walloon Media Minister Jacqueline Galant (also from the MR party) drew widespread criticism after she shared remarks portraying RTBF as overly “leftist” and implying its editorial line should be shifted through leadership change. In a statement at the time, RTBF said: “We condemn any statement that undermines the editorial independence of the public media, whether in terms of its structure, missions, values and staff”.

While Galant later backtracked by saying she regretted the controversy and denying any intent to interfere, and Bouchez has since deleted the inflammatory repost, the harm cannot be easily undone. It is PMA’s position that political leaders should not legitimise the harassment of public media workers, and instead defend the conditions that allow public service media to serve audiences independently, without fear of intimidation. Read more from RTBF.

PMA Advocacy Team