Belgium’s Media Minister Jacqueline Galant has expressed concern over comments about Israel made by Télésambre’s editor-in-chief that have prompted several local officials from her Mouvement Réformateur (MR) party to call for his resignation.
“Media that receive public funding have clear obligations in terms of governance, ethics, and responsibility,” Ms Galant said during a committee session when questioned by MR parliamentarian Nicolas Tzanétatos. “I will make sure these obligations are observed,” she affirmed.
Martial Dumont, who has been the editor-in-chief of the Hainaut-based TV channel since 2019, found himself at the centre of a political and media storm following the deadly attack outside the Jewish Museum in Washington on 23 May.
Dumont wrote on Facebook that the attack was an “abhorrent act, certainly, but an act against Israeli policy, not an act of antisemitism.”
“Accusing those who critise Israel of antisemitism is gross intellectual dishonesty,” he argued.
Ms Galant asserted that public statements such as these not only involve the author’s personal responsibility but can also “impact on the image and credibility of the media outlet he leads.”
“It is crucial that subsidised media adhere to strict professional ethics, particularly concerning neutrality, combating hate speech, and upholding democratic values,” she emphasized.
Dumont’s comment prompted Hainaut parliamentarian Denis Ducarme to demand his resignation.
The matter was brought before Télésambre’s board of directors last week. Following the meeting, Dumont was confirmed in his position.
In protest, three MR members of the board of the media outlet resigned from their positions. Ms Galant described their move as “a courageous resignation” when she addressed members of parliament at Tuesday’s committee meeting.
In response to the attacks on the editor-in-chief, the Association of Professional Journalists (AJP) last week condemned the political pressure exerted on Télésambre and its journalists’ independence.
The European Federation of Journalists also criticised these actions and announced its intent to report them to the Council of Europe, which safeguards the European Charter of Human Rights, including press freedom.
