Comment le Service Public est devenu le Service des Puissants !

Good evening everyone. We're discussing the Aloncle commission and the state of public service media. Alexis Poulin and Johan Ducana Refractaire have collaborated on a video, "How they manipulate," which exposes current issues, including the Bardella-Bourbon-Parme scandal. This episode of XYZ, featuring Alexis Poulin (Generation X), myself (Generation Y), and Johan Ducana Refractaire (Generation Z), aims to pass the torch of citizen media. The Aloncle commission, while initiated by a right-wing deputy, reveals a deeper problem: public service media no longer serves the public interest but rather the powerful. We question if it ever truly did, drawing parallels to the ORTF era where government information was filtered. We're examining the exorbitant salaries, like Nagui's millions for unpopular shows, and whether anything has changed since the death of Jean-Pierre Elkabach. Johan Ducana Refractaire highlights the financial struggles of independent media like Le Canard, which relies on public funding, contrasting it with heavily financed outlets like Le Parisien, owned by Bernard Arnault. He urges support for independent media as a counter to the misinformation spread by corporate-owned outlets. Our analysis concludes that solutions lie not in privatizing public service media or blindly defending the existing system, but in building independent, militant media. The current debate around privatization versus defense of public service media is a false dilemma. Both bourgeois left and right media serve their own class interests, exemplified by France Inter promoting one agenda and Bolloré/Arnault/Kretinsky promoting another. The real question is when the people will be able to shape society, not which bourgeois faction wins. The idea of a "giga canard" is proposed: a network of 50-100 self-managed, self-sufficient, and state-independent "Canards Refractaires" across France. This would be crucial for direct democracy, as we cannot have it without widespread independent media. Johan shares the story of Glupatate, an initiative that grew from the Gilets Jaunes movement and is now integrated into their association, receiving support to organize and expand. Glupatate's potential lies in its ability to expose ridiculous TV narratives. The goal is for Le Canard to be a method of work, a model for others to grow politically and independently, rather than an empire. Local, independent media, like the one in Guingamp, are presented as resilient alternatives. These free, community-financed journals cover local militant meetings and events, providing a robust information network that can withstand censorship and internet shutdowns. Such local initiatives, organizing events and fostering social connections, are vital for creating a resilient media landscape, independent of social media algorithms. The discussion emphasizes the importance of supporting independent media through donations, even small ones, to counter the influence of billionaires and the state. These independent outlets not only provide quality information but also offer training for militants to create their own media, organize conferences, workshops, and assemblies, effectively building a distributed, resilient network of resistance and propaganda. This approach empowers individuals with the tools to produce and disseminate information, fostering autonomy, much like farmers producing their own feed. The current era, marked by war, AI, and political shifts, necessitates armed intervention through media and networks. This is a manifest for a new form of resistance, akin to historical pamphlet movements, but leveraging modern technology. The challenge is the increased surveillance and biometric control, making clandestine operations harder than in previous eras. Palantir, a company accused of undue government influence and CIA funding, exemplifies this pervasive surveillance, leading to censorship and the banning of certain topics, especially when corporate giants like Oracle acquire platforms like TikTok. Despite the lack of financial resources compared to mainstream media, independent outlets like Le Canard thrive on the strength of their networks, particularly the Gilets Jaunes. Their funding model, based on community support and shared videos, is a testament to a system of resistance, not entrepreneurship. This contrasts with figures like Papacito, who, despite initial popularity, shifted to a Patreon model, exploiting a smaller audience for profit. The conversation touches on the need for equilibrium in France's political discourse, currently fragmented by class and racial divisions, preventing a unified popular movement. Alexis Poulin, joining the discussion, reinforces the idea that a broader union will emerge from historical necessity, driven by a rational return to action in the face of danger. He stresses the importance of ideological and intellectual work, promoting popular education through initiatives like Franck Lepage's work and the potential of open-source AI to create decentralized popular universities. The mainstream media's portrayal of the Gilets Jaunes as uneducated stands in stark contrast to historical figures like George Marchais, who, despite limited formal education, commanded powerful rhetoric due to popular education initiatives. The current media landscape, with France Inter and CNews dividing audiences, actively works to maintain the power of the globalist elite. Alexis criticizes the mainstream media for diverting attention with entertainment and providing "bad information," which he exposes daily in his press reviews as propaganda for billionaires. He points out the hypocrisy of politicians like Yael Braun-Pivet, a Total shareholder, not addressing the company's excessive profits. He also highlights taboos in mainstream newsrooms, such as pedocriminal networks and the Bilderberg group, which he considers crucial to understanding the "nuclear reactor of the system." Johan Ducana Refractaire envisions an ideal public audiovisual system as decentralized, transparent, and impactful, even locally. He advocates for media that holds power accountable without fear of reprisal or being labeled conspiratorial. He suggests that public service media should focus on providing technical infrastructure for real journalists to conduct in-depth investigations, rather than producing superficial news reports. The discussion laments the decline of genuine debate and critical voices in mainstream media, exemplified by the shift from programs like Frédéric Taddeï's, which invited diverse perspectives, to shows like "Quelle Époque," which are seen as bourgeois echo chambers. The Aloncle commission's proposals for "economies" and "synergies" are viewed as attempts to justify the lack of quality content and public service, while maintaining exorbitant salaries for figures like Nagui. The "exemplary" financial management of Le Canard, with transparent decision-making and equal salaries, is contrasted with the opaque, lavish spending of larger media organizations. This suggests that exemplary conduct is achievable in smaller, decentralized structures, and that a "social security for media" could fund journalists transparently, free from the influence of social status or corporate agendas. The scandal of Patrick Cohen and Thomas Legrand preparing Glucksmann's campaign, revealed by "incorrect" media, underscores the deep-seated corruption within the system. The panel criticizes the systemic failure of representative democracy, where institutions are controlled by a self-serving elite. The refusal of inquiry commissions into matters like the Epstein affair, despite public demand, is cited as evidence. The case of BHL being paid €750,000 by Arte, a public institution, while being condemned in Tunisia for conspiracy, exemplifies the misuse of public funds and the impunity of the powerful. The conversation extends to the broader media landscape, highlighting the concentration of publishing power in the hands of billionaires like Bolloré and Kretinsky, making it difficult for independent voices to publish. The censorship and algorithmic manipulation on platforms like YouTube are also lamented, leading to a loss of subscribers and notifications for independent creators. Johan emphasizes that independent media, despite their limited power compared to mainstream outlets, are developing essential skills and production means. He believes AI offers a major opportunity for the social appropriation of production tools, allowing anyone to become a "proleter of the brain" and produce content. The goal is to develop media that unifies people against the elite, breaks propaganda, and ultimately transforms the state to ensure a pluralistic, investigative media landscape. The panel praises the courage of independent journalists who take risks to speak truth to power, unlike mainstream figures who often prioritize political correctness or self-preservation. The example of Rima Hassan, falsely accused of drug possession by Bernard Arnault's Le Parisien while simultaneously promoting Bardella through staged paparazzi photos, illustrates the blatant manipulation and double standards in mainstream media. The immense reach of independent media, like Glupatate's millions of views on the Rima Hassan story, demonstrates their growing power, despite systematic attempts at censorship and character assassination. This growing influence makes the elite "dangerous" and drives them to create more restrictive laws. The initial police summons of a European deputy for a tweet is highlighted as a grave assault on freedom of expression. Alexis advocates for a decentralized, online journalism school, leveraging AI and open-source tools to train a new generation of journalists. He argues that journalism is too serious to be left to mainstream journalists, who often merely relay government press releases. True journalism, for him, involves critical inquiry, protecting sources, and acting as an alert system, a role increasingly taken up by individuals due to the suppression of traditional journalism. The discussion emphasizes the communal and collaborative nature of independent media, where decisions are made collectively, and journalists are driven by a militant desire to liberate people from mind control. They aim to provide information without the anger and bias prevalent in mainstream news, fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry. The panel touches on the issue of technofascism, citing Peter Thiel's startup that aimed to inject adolescents and the broader surveillance state. They highlight the importance of supporting independent media like Le Monde Moderne and Le Canard Refractaire as a bulwark against these forces. Finally, the conversation delves into specific political figures and issues. Juan Branco's work in exposing the inner workings of the French elite is deemed valuable. The idea of a "President" figure for 2027, possibly with a double nationality, is satirically proposed as a way to challenge the current political landscape. The importance of citizen participation in information dissemination, particularly through local, independent paper journals, is stressed as a means to create insusceptible, uncontrollable networks of resistance. The BRICS alliance is discussed as a potential counter to American imperialism, offering economic support for countries seeking independence. China, with its economic and industrial prowess, is seen as offering an opportunity for nations to develop independently from the US. Macron's statement about not believing in politics is seen as a cynical move to consolidate power, with aspirations to become the "emperor of Europe." The manipulation of public opinion through social media trends and biased reports is highlighted. The discussion then moves to Kemi Seba's arrest, viewed as an instrumentalization of legal processes against pan-Africanist movements. The need for a collective defense network among independent media is emphasized, rather than a formal union, to protect against politically motivated attacks. The debate around a Sixth Republic and Frexit (French exit from the EU) is explored, with direct democracy being presented as essential. The failure of sovereignist movements to unite is acknowledged, and Mélenchon is suggested as a potential, albeit contradictory, figure to lead a Frexit movement, given his party's increasing radicalization against the EU. The importance of "popular education" and "mass work" to impose a Frexit line within political movements is underscored. The complexities of Frexit, particularly regarding the euro and economic re-industrialization, are recognized as long-term challenges. The final words emphasize gratitude to the community for their support, which enables the existence and growth of independent media. The goal is not just to consume information but to actively participate in building a decentralized, autonomous media landscape that transforms society, fosters social connections, and confronts the dark times ahead.