RTL temporarily dismisses Jean-Michel Aphatie for having mentioned the colonial massacres in Algeria

RTL radio decided to temporarily sidelines Jean-Michel Aphatie following its statements on the Algerian war during a debate with Florence Portelli, LR vice-president of the Île-de-France region.

The journalist said that France “made hundreds of Oradour-sur-Glane in Algeria”, evoking the abuses committed during the colonial period. The management of the radio was expressed by the voice of Amandine Bégot: “Jean-Michel who does not wish to apologize or come back to his words, which is his right, the management of RTL therefore asked him to be held this morning behind the antenna.”

This decision raises questions about the “two weights, two measures” practiced by the mainstream media. While some columnists can openly support Netanyahu’s criminal policy in Gaza despite the accusations of genocide, historical reminders on French colonization seem to be the subject of particular censorship.

MP Aymeric Caron quickly reacted to X (ex-Twitter), qualifying the sanction of “Gravissime” and denouncing “An air of media time increasingly irrespirable”. This backhand comes when the M6 ​​group, owner of RTL, prepares the arrival of the propagandist of the far right Cyril Hanouna on Fun Radio for the next school year. A movement that questions the future editorial line of the audiovisual group. Observers see it as a disturbing signal for freedom of journalistic expression, particularly on sensitive historical subjects. Jean-Michel Aphatie should nevertheless find his microphone next week, according to sources close to the file.