For months the rumor would run.
According to our information, Cyril Graziani, ex-journalist of France Inter, is about to take the head of the political service of France Televisions.
He should replace Muriel Pleynet, the current editor-in-chief, who arrived in July 2019. Proof that the appointment is in the pipeline, the forty
-something
"
would have already made an appointment with several journalists from the political service
", indicates a source at France Télévisions.
However, at present, neither the editor-in-chief nor her troops have received any confirmation from the information department of the public audiovisual group.
Grind your teeth
However, this appointment is likely to cringe.
The reason ?
It can be summed up in a nutshell: the journalist's proximity to the top of the state.
“
Cyril Graziani speaks live with Macron, and on a regular basis.
This also arouses a lot of jealousy in the profession,
”notes a colleague.
In 2019, the journalist thus co-wrote with Cécile Amar the book
The People and the President,
a face-to-face story between the “yellow vests” and Emmanuel Macron.
“
He is known and recognized by politicians.
He has field experience which is sorely lacking in most heads of political services.
And above all, it has its entrances to the Élysée,
”appreciates a political journalist.
This proximity is, however, a double-edged sword.
Today, TF1 has won almost all major interviews with members of the government and the President of the Republic.
Recruiting a journalist close to Macron would potentially have the virtue of helping the public service to return to the race of statutory interviews.
Problem: on the other hand, such recruitment could be seen as a parachuting, as the presidential election looms.
And to question the independence of the public service vis-à-vis the State shareholder "
It is in any case a very strong signal sent to power
", considers a media observer.
"
If the public service starts to campaign Macron ...
", laughs a player in the audiovisual industry.
Cyril Graziani, a major reporter has a reputation for seriousness.
"
He would even tend to underuse his relationship with Macron,
" said a colleague.
Graduated from IPJ in 2006, has spent a good part of his career in the political service of France Inter.
He left Radio France to join the Franceinfo channel last September, where he was appointed political columnist by Laurent Guimier, the current news boss of France Télévisions.
Contacted, the management of France Televisions was not reachable.