On March 26, the inquiry commission on the neutrality, operation, and funding of public broadcasting organized a roundtable discussion on scientific information. Geraldine Woessner, editor-in-chief of the Environment section for the newspaper Le Point, was notably present, and her intervention caught our attention.
The journalist, specializing in agriculture and environment topics, and author of the book The Illusionists, denounced the misinformation in public broadcasting concerning science.
She first pointed out that while the Commission had sent her questions regarding climate issues, in reality, many other subjects were subject to misinformation.
According to her, the phenomenon dates back to the years 2005-2010, when TNT channels came to compete with others and pushed for more sensationalism. It no longer just talked about major investigations or reports, but included “revelations”, “scandals.” This was seen in programs like Silence, on vaccine (France 5) on hepatitis B; Aluminum, our daily poison (France 5); Cholesterol, the big bluff (Arte), which presented cholesterol not as a risk factor for stroke, but as a “conspiracy” by “big pharma” to sell more statins; Chemical products: our children in danger (France 2) on pesticides…
Mrs. Woessner was concerned that these alarmist programs had health and political consequences. Some had caused real panics among the population, impacting the production of fruits and vegetables from conventional agriculture. Today, public broadcasting journalists like the very media-savvy Hugo Clément contribute to maintaining confusion and disinformation on sensitive topics like pediatric cancers.
Agriculture is not the only subject of concern: endocrine disruptors, 5G waves, Linky meters, nuclear power, glyphosate… The journalist took the opportunity to remind of some scientific truths:
– organic agriculture cannot feed the planet; – GMOs are not dangerous to health; – acetamipride does not cause cancer; – there is no surge in pediatric cancers.
Geraldine Woessner also pointed out a recurring phenomenon in environmentalist associations: they produce misinformation while claiming the opposite. For example, the Quotaclimat association actually believes it is false to say that 100% renewable electricity is impossible, citing that California achieved this in 2024 for 90 days. In reality, it was only 3 to 4 minutes per day.
Does public service truly uphold the primacy of facts and scientific evidence over rumors and opinions? The myth of neutral and impartial public broadcasting has never been more fragile.
