French media groups condemn Le Pen remarks aimed at Médiapart
Editorial committees from 39 French media organisations have condemned Marine Le Pen’s warning that investigative outlet Médiapart would need a “bulletproof” or “Kevlar” suit after reporting alleged comments by Jordan Bardella. They called the remarks intimidation and a threat to press freedom.
Editorial committees from 39 French media organisations have condemned remarks by National Rally leader Marine Le Pen targeting investigative outlet Médiapart. In a joint statement, the organisations described Le Pen’s comments as intimidation and said they were particularly concerning for the public’s right to information. The signatories included FRANCE 24 and RFI.
Le Pen said on Tuesday that Médiapart would need a “bulletproof suit” to deal with the National Rally’s response. The remark followed a report by the outlet alleging anti-Semitic comments by Jordan Bardella, the party’s president. The media groups said the wording placed a target on journalists and warned against attacks on reporters by the far right.
They argued that journalism’s role includes investigating and scrutinising those in power and said journalists should not face intimidation for doing their work. The statement invoked press freedom protections under the European Convention on Human Rights and international law. It said differing editorial positions did not prevent newsrooms from jointly defending the right to report.
The supplied material does not include a response from Le Pen, Bardella or Médiapart to the statement. It says polls currently show Le Pen leading the first round of France’s presidential election, scheduled for 18 April 2027, although the report provides no polling figures.
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