RMC-BFM: unions once again demand the withdrawal of Barbara Lefebvre after her conviction

The SNJ and the CGT of RMC-BFM reiterated their request for the removal of columnist Barbara Lefebvre from the air, after her conviction on April 15 by the Paris criminal court for “public insult towards a group of people because of their belonging to the category of travelers”.

In a press release, the unions denounce “racist” and “contrary to human dignity” comments, recalling statements made in 2024 on RMC targeting travelers. They also mention other controversies involving the columnist, including comments deemed “hateful”, the broadcast of erroneous information on air and public attacks against a journalist from the group. They emphasize that these positions have, according to them, contributed to fueling a climate of disinformation and tensions, incompatible with the ethical requirements of journalism and the broadcast.

The union organizations recall having already requested his departure in June 2025, after comments made on air as well as during a public event. They also mention an episode that occurred in July 2025, during which a journalist from the group was targeted, leading to a wave of hostile reactions online. The press release also returns to an intervention in November 2025, during which Barbara Lefebvre affirmed on the air that the International Criminal Court had not recognized genocide in Gaza, a statement deemed inaccurate and not subsequently corrected. The group’s ethics committee shared this observation.

“This columnist making racist remarks has no business being on our airwaves”they write, calling on management to “position itself clearly and unequivocally”.

The SNJ and the CGT finally affirm that they will not tolerate management invoking the presumption of innocence in the event of an appeal to justify its continued presence on the air. They question the “complacency” of management and demand concrete measures in the face of comments that they consider “reprehensible” and “intolerable”.