Belgium’s public broadcaster RTBF has defended its editorial independence following criticism and threats from the liberal Mouvement Réformateur (MR) party over its coverage of the alleged misuse of a disabled parking badge linked to an MR vehicle.
On Tuesday, the MR issued a statement accusing the RTBF of failing to correct what it claimed were inaccurate reports about the incident, and threatening to boycott the broadcaster’s news programmes.
The RTBF responded on Wednesday, releasing a statement emphasising its commitment to “editorial independence” and the “pluralism of ideas.” The broadcaster also confirmed its intention to continue inviting MR representatives to participate in its shows.
The RTBF noted further that it had promptly corrected inaccuracies in its initial report published on 30 July regarding the parking badge issue.
“The errors were explicitly corrected within 45 minutes, in line with Article 6 of the journalistic code of ethics,” the statement read. “The RTBF also expressed its regret over factual inaccuracies directly to the MR president via his lawyer on 1 August 2025.”
The controversy has sparked heated debate throughout the summer, fuelled in part by the leaked audio of a phone conversation between MR president Georges-Louis Bouchez and an RTBF journalist. The recording allegedly includes Bouchez making physical threats against the journalist responsible for the initial story.
The RTBF has categorically denied any involvement in the leak, which it “strongly condemns,” calling it a violation of the journalist’s wishes. The broadcaster further criticised MR for its lack of action in addressing the pressure and threats directed at its staff.
“To date, the MR has not expressed any regret to the journalist for the intimidation, pressure, and physical threat made against her, which RTBF firmly denounces both substantively and procedurally,” the statement added.
In response to the MR’s claim that the RTBF violated journalistic ethics, the broadcaster reminded the party that complaints must be filed with the *Conseil de déontologie journalistique* (CDJ), the independent body tasked by law with handling such matters.
“It is to this institution that the RTBF and other media outlets are accountable,” RTBF concluded.
