Paris Opens Probe Into Secret Recording of Journalists Legrand & Cohen

The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed on Thursday, December 25th, that it has opened an investigation into the clandestine recording of a conversation between journalists Patrick Cohen and Thomas Legrand and two Socialist officials, originally disseminated in September by the far-right media outlet L’Incorrect.

Responding to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the prosecutor confirmed the investigation, entrusted to the brigade de répression de la délinquance contre la personne (BRDP), followed a complaint filed by the journalists after L’Incorrect published the unauthorized video in September. The video depicts a conversation between Socialist officials and Messrs. Cohen and Legrand.

This video subsequently sparked widespread commentary across the Bolloré media group – including CNews, Europe 1, and Le JDD – ultimately becoming a catalyst for an open conflict between public broadcasting and these media outlets.

The investigation centers on “violation of privacy through recording,” “recording of a person’s words, use, preservation, or disclosure of a document,” and “publication, dissemination, or reproduction of false information likely to disturb public order,” the prosecutor detailed. According to sources close to the case obtained by AFP, Arthur de Watrigant, the news director of L’Incorrect, has been questioned by investigators.

At this stage, the case “is under analysis” by the prosecutor’s office section dealing with press and public liberties, which has not yet decided on further legal action, the public prosecutor’s office clarified.

Legrand’s Complaint Against Europe 1 and CNews

Confirmation of the investigation comes the day after Thomas Legrand filed a new complaint specifically targeting radio station Europe 1 and channel CNews, following the disclosure of information about another private exchange in December with former Radio France deputy director, Laurence Bloch. The prosecutor’s office had no information about this new complaint as of Thursday.

This complaint concerns the “illegal capture” of the conversation with the former Radio France deputy director, as well as a complaint specifically targeting Europe 1 and CNews for “preservation, disclosure, and use of illegally obtained recordings,” according to information from Le Monde, confirming reports from Le Parisien.

Contacted, CNews declined to comment at this stage, stating to AFP that it had “not received the complaint.” Europe 1 has not immediately responded. Laurence Bloch also filed a complaint on Wednesday for “audiovisual espionage of private life,” “exploitation of said espionage,” and “interception of correspondence,” Télérama reported.

On Thursday, Thomas Legrand denounced, before the National Assembly’s inquiry commission on public broadcasting, repeated claims on Europe 1, then CNews, regarding a recent meeting he had in a café with Laurence Bloch. “Our discussion was recorded without our knowledge,” when it was “a private meeting between two friends,” Legrand stated, describing it as “espionage.”

Radio France and France Télévisions have separately filed lawsuits in November against Le JDD, Europe 1, and CNews before the economic activities court for “denigration,” accusing them of repeatedly broadcasting these accusations on their channels to harm them.