Jean Luc Mélenchon, leader of radical left La France Insoumise (LFI), announced today at the party press conference that, if LFI wins the 2027 presidential election, the first law he wants to pass will be aimed at “breaking media monopolies”.
Mélenchon, known for his adversarial relationship with the press, vows to “liberate” the media from financial interests, while dismantling conglomerates he deems incompatible with pluralism.
The leader of the party is explicitly targeting press groups owned by billionaire and supporter of Marine Le Pen, Vincent Bolloré (CNews, Canal+, Europe 1, Le Journal du Dimanche), which he promises to “sell off in pieces” or, if necessary, to “confiscate”.
He also argues that press subsidies should be reserved for struggling outlets, such as the left-wing daily L’Humanité, or for emerging independent media rather than established “bourgeois” outlets like Le Monde.
Mélenchon’s criticism extends beyond traditional media outlets to what he calls an “insufferable monopoly” over the entire literary chain. His target includes not only the major publishing houses but also the retailers and bookstores that control the distribution of “ideas”.
These statements were made during a press conference organized by LFI near their headquarters in Paris. According to Libération, the radical left party restricted access to its press conference, inviting only a select group of independent and “new media”, alongside several influencers and YouTubers.
In contrast, the vast majority of national media organisations including public broadcasters and several outlets typically considered left-leaning were denied entry. Though these major newsrooms were officially notified of the event via a press release, they were barred from attending.
After the press conference, Mélenchon personally attacked Le Monde journalist Olivier Pérou on X, accusing him of lying about the party’s selective media credentials. He adds that Pérou would be permanently barred from all future LFI events, citing the reporter’s past descriptions of the party as a “sect” as a breach of professional relationships.
Olivier Pérou rédacteur au "Monde", plein de mépris pour ses collègues des nouveaux médias purement numériques, prétend que nous aurions trié sur le volet nos invités. Pur mensonge. Il confond avec ses réunions de rédaction. En toute hypothèse et quel que soit le cadre, lui ne…
— Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) February 24, 2026
