Politics · France · 1 day ago
Franceinfo says it aims to cover all sides of student protests
Listeners told Franceinfo that its coverage of high school protests in France gave too much attention to violence, damage and school blockades.
Some wanted more coverage of school funding, teaching conditions and problems with student orientation.
Deputy editorial director Florent Guyotat said the station also reports on protesters’ demands and the conditions behind the demonstrations.
He cited a report from a school in Créteil, where the national protest began last month, and coverage of students reacting to a government announcement about substitute teachers.
Guyotat said the station covers injuries involving both students and police.
In one case, a 14-year-old was injured during a blockade in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône; two investigations were opened, one into a police officer’s grenade-launcher shot and another into alleged violence by the student.
He said Franceinfo seeks to hear from students, police, teachers, school leaders and government members, and checks information before publishing it.
Franceinfo deputy editor Florent Guyotat defended the broadcaster’s coverage of student protests, saying it reports on all aspects of the movement.
Some listeners said coverage gave too much attention to violence, damage and school blockades.
They wanted more reporting on school resources, teaching conditions and difficulties with Parcoursup, the university admissions platform.
Guyotat said the broadcaster covers students’ demands as well as violence involving protesters and police.
He said franceinfo verifies information by checking it with sources and giving different participants a chance to speak.
- Who
- Franceinfo deputy editor Florent Guyotat responded to listeners’ concerns about the broadcaster’s coverage.
- What
- He defended its reporting on student protests and said it covers the movement’s causes and all sides of violence.
- When
- The article was published on 10 October 2026.
- Where
- The protests discussed took place in France.
- Why
- Listeners had questioned the balance of franceinfo’s coverage and asked for more attention to students’ concerns.
Listeners critical of franceinfo's coverage
Franceinfo
Coverage balance
Listeners critical of franceinfo's coverage
Some listeners said violence, damage and blockades received too much attention and that police voices were heard more quickly or at greater length than students.
Franceinfo
Guyotat said franceinfo reports on violence because it occurs, but also regularly covers students’ reasons and demands.
Issues covered
Listeners critical of franceinfo's coverage
Listeners wanted more about school resources, teaching conditions and Parcoursup difficulties.
Franceinfo
Guyotat cited reporting on school conditions and vacant positions, as well as students reacting to an announcement about substitute teachers.
We report on all violence, whoever it involves and wherever it comes from.
We strive, on our airwaves, to give a voice to all the protagonists: students, police officers, teachers, school principals, members of the government.
We verify information before publishing it, by calling our contacts and sources and cross-checking them.
The protest movement that Guyotat described as the current national protest began at Saint-Exupéry high school in Créteil.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray announced the mobilisation of 3,000 substitute teachers, and franceinfo aired reactions from protesting students.
A franceinfo report included testimony from a police officer.
- Broadcaster
- franceinfo
- Spokesperson
- Florent Guyotat, deputy editor
- Protest-related case
- Eden, aged 14, was injured during a blockade in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône, Val-d’Oise.
- Investigations
- Two investigations were opened into the incident involving Eden.
- Teacher announcement
- 3,000 substitute teachers were announced for deployment across France.
- School damage
- Damage at a school in Lormont was estimated at several hundred thousand euros by the regional council.
Sources
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