In an unprecedented exposé, Le Figaro has published damaging revelations about antisemitic content and Hamas support within Le Monde's newsroom, one of France's largest and most influential newspapers.
In a lengthy and pointed investigation, Le Figaro, the center-right competitor, took the unusual step of revealing internal details from Le Monde's newsroom, including photographs showing content that staff members are exposed to, reflecting what it describes as political activism promoting an anti-Israel agenda.
Le "mur de Gaza" au Monde, c'est quelque chose pour un journal qui prétend faire autorité... Excellent article de @EugenieBastie sur les lignes de fracture qui parcourent la rédaction du Monde. Avec quelques rappels salvateurs sur le couple infernal Barthe/Shihabi
A lirehttps://t.co/YwMjvkgGqG pic.twitter.com/LZUkktQ0BR
— Halte à la Connerie (@halteconnerie) December 17, 2024
In one corner of the new editorial office near the Austerlitz station in central Paris, employees have created a large wall of propaganda pieces and illustrations focused solely on the war in Gaza, rather than French politics or global issues like climate change. The wall, dubbed the "Gaza Wall," features cartoons with accusations of genocide in Gaza and lists of alleged massacres that Israel or Jews supposedly committed before the state's establishment.
Journalists and editors interviewed by Le Figaro described a culture of silencing and fear of expressing opinions that contradict the newspaper's stance on the issue.
The investigation also mentions tweets by Mouzna Shihab, the deputy editor-in-chief's wife, who praised the October 7 massacre and claimed that "Gaza's youth surprised Israel on their own, without help from Arab armies." Le Figaro's confrontation with the left-wing newspaper represents an attack not on its political stance but on what is perceived as a betrayal of journalistic principles of balance and unbiased professional coverage of burning issues.
A senior figure at Le Monde said, "When a newspaper that claims to be authoritative and neutral handles a subject in a biased way, it only increases unease." The criticism from some staff members and strong internal reactions indicate fragile lines at the center of the newspaper, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary.
