French media protest manhandling of journalists at far-right party rally

Journalists covering the National Rally congress in Orléans reported being blocked from documenting events, insulted, forcibly removed, and physically handled. The treatment mattered because the congress was Marine Le Pen’s first major campaign rally, while she led polls to succeed Emmanuel Macron.

A Mediapart crew was confronted by party activists and jeered by a crowd chanting, “Mediapart, get out!” RN security then escorted them out. Two reporters said they were pinned against a wall. Others said they were grabbed by the collar or waist. The RN press team later apologised, allowing them to return.

Other incidents followed. A Mediapart journalist and a Politis reporter were removed while filming a protest. Female reporters described pat-downs checking for bras or possible Femen protesters. The incidents prompted 44 media outlets to demand that political parties let journalists work freely.

The National Rally, or RN, is identified in the article as France’s far-right party. Marine Le Pen is its prominent political leader, and the party held a major congress in Orléans. The gathering also served as the launchpad for her presidential campaign.

The timing was politically important. Le Pen was leading polls to succeed President Emmanuel Macron in elections planned for next spring. That made the congress more than an ordinary party meeting. It was a public opportunity to present her campaign and mobilise supporters. The event took place under tight security and during nationwide protests about the cost of living.

The rally also drew opposition. Thousands marched in Orléans while shouting anti-fascist slogans. Le Pen had raised concerns about possible violence from opponents. At the same time, journalists accused RN activists and party security personnel of intimidating them, creating a clash between campaign control, protest activity, and press access.

Forty-four French media outlets signed an open letter demanding that the National Rally allow journalists to work freely. The number shows that concern extended well beyond one newsroom or one incident. The signatories argued that political parties must let the press access events without hindrance or rough treatment.

The group included major broadcasters, newspapers, an investigative website, and a news agency. Radio France International, or RFI, and its sister station France 24 signed. So did Le Monde, Le Figaro, BFMTV, LCI, Mediapart, and Agence France-Presse. Their different formats gave the protest broad representation across French media.

The letter followed reported incidents at the RN congress in Orléans on 24-25 October. Journalists said they were obstructed, insulted, and physically removed. The media groups framed access as a rule-of-law issue, stressing that the press serves all citizens and should be able to cover political events independently.

Several groups were accused of confronting journalists at the congress. They included National Rally activists, the party’s security personnel, people in the audience, and plainclothes police officers. The article describes separate incidents involving Mediapart and Politis reporters, as well as activists from the Union of Jewish Students in France.

Mediapart’s crew was jeered by a crowd chanting for them to leave. RN security escorted them from the venue, and reporters alleged that staff pinned them against a wall or grabbed their collars and waists. During another protest, security and plainclothes police roughly removed activists and a Mediapart journalist. Audience members allegedly knocked a Politis reporter’s phone away and threatened to smash it.

Female reporters also described unusual pat-downs by security staff. The checks reportedly sought to identify possible Femen protesters. The RN press team later intervened in the Mediapart incident, apologised, and allowed the reporters to return.

Mediapart became a particular target after publishing revelations about alleged antisemitic writings by Jordan Bardella during his youth. The report appeared in late September, shortly before the National Rally congress. Members and supporters of the party reacted angrily, making the outlet especially controversial at the event.

Bardella firmly denied writing the messages. Mediapart maintained that it had authenticated them and published digital evidence linking them to him. That dispute created a direct conflict between the investigative outlet and a senior National Rally figure. At the congress, activists confronted the Mediapart crew, while the crowd chanted for the team to leave.

The hostility had already escalated before the meeting. In early October, journalist associations representing nearly 40 outlets denounced death threats made by the RN against Mediapart. Le Pen had also suggested that the outlet’s journalists should wear a Kevlar suit, referring to bulletproof-vest material.

If parties prevent journalists from reporting freely, voters may receive a narrower picture of political events. Reporters might be unable to document speeches, protests, security actions, or alleged misconduct. That matters especially during election campaigns, when citizens need information about candidates and parties before voting.

The Orléans incidents show how access can be restricted in practice. Journalists were reportedly prevented from filming, removed from premises, insulted, and physically handled. A Politis reporter said his phone was knocked away, while Mediapart reporters described being pinned or grabbed. Without independent witnesses and recordings, important events can become harder to verify.

The media groups warned that political parties of all stripes must let the press access events because it serves all citizens. If that principle is ignored, parties may face less scrutiny and voters may receive incomplete coverage. The open letter signals that the issue will remain central as the presidential campaign develops.

Press freedom means journalists can investigate, document, and report matters of public interest without being controlled or punished by political actors. In a state governed by the rule of law, parties must respect that freedom and allow reporters to attend their events. The press serves citizens, not just the organisations it covers.

The congress illustrates why the principle matters. Journalists said they were blocked from filming, insulted, removed, grabbed, or pinned against a wall. Mediapart’s reporting on alleged antisemitic writings involving Jordan Bardella also shows the role of independent scrutiny. Bardella denied authorship, while Mediapart said it authenticated the messages and published evidence.

Independent reporting gives voters competing information and allows claims to be tested publicly. It also records how parties treat opponents, protesters, and journalists. The 44-signatory letter warned that political parties of all stripes must not hinder this work. Protecting access is therefore important for accountability during elections and beyond.