In office since 2012, Ms. Saragosse, 62, has been appointed for an additional five years by ARCOM, effective April 23. France Médias Monde brings together the 24-hour news channel France 24 (in French, English, Arabic, and Spanish), RFI radio (in French and 15 other languages), and the Arabic-language radio station Monte Carlo Doualiya (MCD).
"In a context marked by a profound transformation of the audiovisual sector, changes in the financing of public broadcasting (with the abolition of the license fee, editor's note) and major geopolitical upheavals, the Authority has chosen to give priority to the experience acquired by Marie-Christine Saragosse at the head of the group," ARCOM explained in a press release.
The outgoing director was chosen over four other candidates: Sylvain Attal (former deputy director of France 24 in charge of new media), David Hivet (international media specialist), Arnaud Ngatcha (journalist and deputy mayor of Paris in charge of international relations) and Pierre-Etienne Pommier (digital entrepreneur).
"I am seeking a third term in order to consolidate this structure, secure our position as a leading media group on the international stage, and accelerate developments and transformations," Ms. Saragosse said on Monday during her hearing with ARCOM.
In announcing its decision, ARCOM emphasized that it would be "attentive to the company's entry into a new phase of its digital development." The authority also called for "strengthening the internal management of the company," in particular to "ensure active social dialogue" and "ensure rigorous management."
In her plan, Ms. Saragosse emphasized the "bond of trust" with the public, which requires "free, independent international information" in the face of manipulation and disinformation.
To this end, the question of resources is "a priority," she said. France Médias Monde's budget is set to increase for 2023 (€285 million compared to €254 million in 2022), a trend she hopes to see "reinforced in the next COM" (contract of objectives and means) with the State for 2024-28.
After the end of the license fee, Ms. Saragosse considered it essential that public broadcasting continue to be financed by a specially allocated budget, and not directly by the state budget. This is a "visible guarantee of independence" internationally that makes FMM's media "unassailable," she insisted, pointing out that they are "public service channels" and not "government channels."
Ms. Saragosse also defended the multiplicity of languages on France Médias Monde's channels, which was contested by some of the other candidates. Finally, she expressed caution about a possible shift to all-digital and on-demand viewing, to the detriment of traditional live broadcasting. "Each area has its own equation in terms of audience usage and is transforming at its own pace. Certain choices made at the wrong time can destroy years of building reputation and audience," she said.