In the Media Committee of the Parliament of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation today, the Minister answered questions from majority and opposition MPs about the note presented to the sector on 27 May. The Minister reaffirmed her determination to move forward. She now awaits the meeting on 10 June to hear the proposals for change from the stakeholders concerned. The consultation continues.
The Minister's full response is below.
Ladies and gentlemen Members of Parliament,
Many of you are asking me today about the progress of discussions on the reform of local media.
Until now, I had chosen not to publicly comment on these exchanges, out of respect for the partners involved. As you know, since taking office, and in full cooperation with the members of the Government and the Minister-President, I have resolutely chosen dialogue and consultation.
I would also like to point out, since this seems sometimes to be misunderstood by some, that the project presented during the working group meeting on 27 May constitutes a “work in progress”. Discussions are therefore still ongoing, despite the few emotional reactions we have observed.
Since the launch of this initiative, my intention has been clear: to co-build a reform, transparently and with the stakeholders concerned. The representatives of local media themselves have welcomed the fact that I am the first Media Minister to take the time to visit, on the ground, each of their studios, in every corner of Wallonia and Brussels, to better understand their reality.
In this context, I can only regret the lack of innovative proposals from some of the operators involved, even though they themselves acknowledge the need to evolve their ecosystem. I have therefore invited them to return, at our next meeting on 10 June, with genuine suggestions for improvement.
The Community Policy Statement is clear: “Local media are an integral part of media pluralism in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.” The aim of the reform is therefore to strengthen this ecosystem, optimising it both organisationally and functionally, within a budgetary context that you are all aware of.
The project I have put forward therefore has four components.
Firstly, a relevant and reasoned reduction in the number of subsidised local media outlets
The project provides for a reduction in the number of local media outlets recognised and funded by the Federation, from 12 to 8. I would like to clarify that this is not a case of forced mergers. By 2031, simply, only eight structures, one per province, except Hainaut and Liège, which would each have two, will be eligible for public funding.
Secondly, a major administrative simplification component
At their request, the administrative burdens on local media will be significantly reduced, allowing them to focus fully on their core mission. The evaluation of the current agreements, scheduled for 30 June 2026, could provide a concrete opportunity to enshrine this simplification.
Thirdly, making the funding more objective
Today, public aid to local media amounts to approximately €36 million, of which €10.449 million is operating subsidy within my budget. The project provides for this operating subsidy to be capped at €10 million from 2026 until 31 December 2030.
During this working group, I also informed the operators, in a spirit of full transparency, that a reform of Employment Promotion Aid (APE) is currently being discussed under the guidance of the Walloon Minister for Employment. This should provide an opportunity to make the amounts allocated to local media more objective, as until now they have been granted without clear criteria and at the discretion of ministers.
By way of illustration, I would remind you that Antenne Centre, covering 10 municipalities, currently receives €1.14 million, whereas Qu4tre, which covers 55, receives €780,000.
And finally, the fourth and last component: easing the obligations for synergies with RTBF
Although I am in favour of strengthening cooperation with the public broadcaster, I have heard the concerns expressed by local media on this subject. The project therefore does not make these synergies compulsory, but seeks to encourage and facilitate them.
Having set out this framework, allow me to return to a few points of clarification, as since 27 May, many things, and their opposites, have been said.
Firstly, local media are not public media. They are independent private-law non-profit associations, which do not fall under the authority of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. I am not closing any media outlet. I am not abolishing any structure. The project's sole aim is to regulate public funding, in line with available resources.
Secondly, contrary to certain claims, which I of course assume are made in good faith, this reform will not jeopardise local roots, undermine pluralism, or endanger local democracy. On the contrary, it represents an opportunity to create genuine local media hubs, strong, relevant and objectively funded. I can understand that some local elected officials, myself included, may regret the loss of “tailor-made” coverage. But this reform is also a chance to build, together, a new and stronger model for our localities.
And yes, Ms Linard, you are right: someone from Mons is not the same as someone from Charleroi, someone from Tournai is not the same as someone from La Louvière. Just as someone from Ixelles is not the same as someone from Anderlecht, someone from Jette is not the same as someone from Uccle, someone from the Gaume is not the same as someone from the Ardennes. And yet, each of them today shares a local media outlet, without being deprived of quality local information.
Finally, in recent days, I have heard some on the left say: “making savings on local media serves no purpose, as it represents less than 1% of the FWB budget”. I take note of this reasoning. That would imply that only large budgets can be reformed. But what, then, is being proposed? Making savings on Education and Research, which represent nearly 68% of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation's budget? Well, I say to you clearly: for this Government, that is out of the question.
Ladies and gentlemen Members of Parliament, thank you for your questions, which have allowed me to clarify the intentions and outlines of this reform, as well as the progress of discussions. I will be sure to update you after the meeting on 10 June.
In conclusion, allow me to recall what guides this Government's actions, day after day.
What drives it, what carries it, what pushes it forward: it is the courage to change.
The courage to change means daring to shake up taboos that have been ignored for too long.
The courage to change means making decisions that are sometimes unpopular, but necessary for the general interest of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
The courage to change means facing up to the economic and budgetary challenges ahead, and responding to them with clarity and resolve.
The courage to change means accepting to displease, sometimes even one's own elected representatives, when the issue at stake goes beyond partisan interests.
The courage to change is also a way of governing: with respect, loyalty and recognition of everyone's work. I have been striving to do so for almost a year now.
Ladies and gentlemen, if this project had to take a form, it would be that of my determination: my determination to have the courage to change, so that the future of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation may brighten.
Thank you.