Madam Deputy, dear Aurore,
Dear Roch-Olivier, President of the CSA,
Dear Alain Liberty, President of SIRTI,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,
Thank you for your welcome this evening. It is a great pleasure for me to be with you for this SIRTI General Assembly.
The development of SIRTI member radio stations illustrates the vitality and diversity of our radio landscape.
For some, you relay information.
Local radio stations providing field information with know-how and responsiveness throughout the territory: in Lille, Toulouse, Nice, Cannes, Lyon, etc. in Burgundy, in Champagne, in the Camargue, in the Alps. But also radio stations whose programming deals with other regions of the world such as Africa.
For others, you are references in music. Radios that bring together fans of Latin sounds, rock, electro, urban music, jazz, pop… by offering the best of what these musical universes offer.
You each have your own peculiarities, each your own identity, but you share a fundamental attribute: your independence.
Independent radio is the pride of our territories, which embodies their uniqueness.
This is the theme of this General Assembly “Independent radio stations: the voice of the territories”. And this theme is more topical than ever.
The mobilization of the Yellow Vests for several weeks has shown us that many French people no longer feel listened to, no longer feel represented, nor belong to the society in which they live.
You are the voice of the territories because you resemble those who listen to you. You represent them because you know their tastes, their expectations. And it is this proximity that allows you to design tailored programs. You represent employees, journalists, millions of listeners. You embody programs.
The Syndicat des radios indépendants, or SIRTI, is 169 independent local, regional, thematic and generalist radio stations, 9 million daily listeners, 950 FM frequencies on the 96 departments of the 13 regions of Metropolitan France and the 3 overseas departments.
It is also 71 radios licensed in DAB+ and 379 webradios published by member radios.
More than 2,500 employees, including more than 500 journalists, work in SIRTI radio stations.
Together, you share a common ambition: to combine your particularisms, your identities to strengthen and endure.
I share your ambition.
SIRTI’s function is to defend radio, what it represents, the quality of its content, its independence.
Beyond an ambition it has now become, a necessity.
Distrust of the media is at its peak. In recent weeks, limits have been crossed: journalists have been attacked, insults have been uttered. This is not acceptable, it cannot be accepted.
Unfortunately, these scattered incidents reflect a climate of general mistrust. 1 in 2 Frenchmen feel that most media have poorly covered the yellow vest movement.
However, these polls also tell us something else: radio is the preferred medium of the French.
It is part of the life of the French, of all our lives. We wake up in the morning by her side, she accompanies us at breakfast, follows us on our daily journeys, on foot, by bike, by car, by public transport.
What explains this attachment?
In the first place it is the medium in which they have the most confidence. Radio is seen as the most credible source of information in many years.
This mark of confidence is reflected in the very good audience results of general radio stations.
This is no accident. I salute the quality of the radio offering, of the programs, of the ever richer and more analyzed information. I salute the professionalism of journalists who, through their work, are helping to restore a building of trust that has been badly abused.
Radio is also, and we must remember, an ability to create interaction, a link with listeners. To be as close as possible to their concerns. This is what the French appreciate.
Media presence in the territory is a necessity. In France, in the French overseas territories, in the city’s political districts and in rural areas.
The independent radio stations, the private radio stations that you represent play this role, they embody the territories they represent. They contribute to their vitality, create and strengthen the social bond.
So let me tell you that I am aware of what you bring to France, to the French, to culture. I am aware of your challenges and difficulties. And I know how necessary it is to encourage and support your activities.
This is the role of the state, a role we are proud of.
The role of the State is also to accompany changes in radio, to ensure that it has a good future.
Although there are many projects, the prospects are exciting.
We must strengthen the local offer but also strengthen it.
It is in this sense that I have taken a position in favour of «DAB+ » Terrestrial Digital Radio, supporting Radio France’s request to be present on this new mode of broadcasting. And I know how important that was to you, the SIRTI and the independent radios.
A technology that has many advantages: better sound quality, better continuity of listening in mobility, the potential arrival of new stations. Since the end of 2017, the CSA has decided to accelerate the development of DAB+ at local and national level.
Since 19 December 2018, 21.3% of the French population has been covered by DAB+, with the launch of services in the cities of Lyon and Strasbourg after Paris, Nice, Marseille and Lille. This triggers the progressive obligation for manufacturers to integrate a DAB+ chip. Local and regional deployment in urban areas is continuing.
At the national level, 24 DAB+ programmes will be launched in major cities and on some motorways from the beginning of 2020 to initiate the deployment of national coverage allowing mobile radio listening in vehicles. Of the 16 independent radio candidates, 3 were selected: Air Zen, Latina and M Radio.
The results of the regional calls will, I am sure, reinforce the number of radio stations available in DAB+.
2019 will also mark the start of the coverage of metropolitan areas of lower density, as well as the preparation of the deployment of DAB + in Overseas. The goal is to cover 70% of the population by at least one local multiplex by 2021.
We have decided to reserve 6 resources for all Radio France’s national antennas to allow them to broadcast DAB+ on a territory-wide basis, as well as local resources for France Bleu antennas.
This choice for the future is to make our public radio stations more accessible to all French people.
I know you’ve expressed some concerns about the distribution of frequencies.
I also know that as part of the extended allotments, the APF – ensuring the balance of the radio landscape, respect for pluralism and cultural diversity – will take care of the place that will be given to independent radio stations.
Today, the audiovisual industry is in a state of flux. Questions are being raised and they are raising concerns.
They concern, for example, opening up certain sectors to advertising.
In 2017, you contributed to the public consultation on simplifying television advertising rules.
Although the Autorité de la Concurrence has issued an opinion in favour of an opening, we have not yet taken the necessary decisions. In a difficult economic context, this debate must take place, but it must not be rushed.
It will have to take into account both the need to promote fairer competition between the GAFAN and the channels, and the preservation of the fragile balance of other media.
Regarding the authorization of brand advertising on Radio France. We have heard your concerns.
We are very attentive to Radio France’s economic model and to changes in its turnover, both in terms of its regulatory framework and its contractual commitments with the State.
We are just as concerned with the balance of the entire radio advertising market.
The construction of a new multi-year funding plan will necessarily raise the question of the advertising framework on its antennas. A public report will report on the implementation of the Order. It will allow us to have a sufficient step back to assess the multiannual evolution of the volumes of advertising broadcast.
Only then will we be able to consider adjusting the existing rules.
On these subjects as on others, we will listen to you and we will always act in consultation with all stakeholders
I am delighted to be with you this evening. To support you, to express my pride and to chart the future of radio together.