The Society of Editors Marianne (SRM) asked, on Tuesday, November 12, “immediate cessation of negotiations” with the businessman Jean-Martial Lefranc, candidate to take over the magazine, due to lack of sufficient guarantees regarding the independence of the publication.
After a meeting, “it seemed that Mr. Lefranc’s opinions were in total opposition to the fundamental principles of the independence of a newspaper”writes the SRM in a press release, which ensures that the “the publisher is willing to use all means to obtain satisfaction, including the strike”. According to her, Mr. Lefranc “firm intention” intervene in the editorial line of the magazine and participate in editorial conferences.
He also believes, according to the society of editors, that “certain articles published by Marianne “They do not comply with the requirements of journalistic ethics.”what do you have “personal remedy”. Also, add the instance, “The withdrawal of Antoun Sehnaoui, the largest shareholder in the public acquisition offer, seriously compromises the economic viability of the project”.
Questioned by Agence France-Presse, Lefranc’s entourage stated “take note” of SRM communication, talking about “radicality” and of “cartoon”. “The attitude expressed by the majority of the editorial staff does not allow (…) not provide for a calm and constructive resumption of Marianne to date”adds this source in a brief press release, ensuring however that“There is no decision on a possible withdrawal at this time” was not taken.
According to the same source, Mr. Lefranc “he was the first to accept all the guarantees of independence requested by the editorial team and never considered deviating from them”. “It is very harmful to confuse editorial interventionism and strategic supervision of the activity”underlines. “Jean-Martial Lefranc had anticipated possible defections and financing alternatives are ready”adds elsewhere.
A certain number of conditions are established.
The SRM recalls that, on April 22, Denis Olivennes, president of the supervisory board of CMI France, the owner group Marianneestablishes a series of conditions for the sale: “sanctuary of the journalistic line”, “preservation of editorial independence”, “guarantee of the economic sustainability of the title” AND “maintain current management”.
In July, the editorial team had already ruled out a possible acquisition by the conservative billionaire Pierre-Edouard Stérin.
At the same time, Jean-Martial Lefranc, 62, had submitted a takeover bid increased to 8.5 million euros, after a first offer was rejected in spring. CMI France was willing to cover part of the recovery costs, worth 3 million, according to Olivennes.
