French minister: Les Echos sales a 'private matter'
By Leah McBride Mensching, Tuesday 30 October 2007 at 21:47 :: Media Ownership :: #778 :: rss
France's Culture Minister said in an interview Friday that the planned sale of French business daily Les Echos to luxury goods maker LVMH is a “private matter,” which does not call for legislation.
“I met LVMH's head, Bernard Arnault. I received the staff of Les Echos and La Tribune. Guarantees have been given. This is a private matter. The journalists, I believe they are independent. I do not think its is necessary to adopt a law,” Christine Albanel told French daily Le Monde.
The Les Echos staff opposes the sale, fearing they will lose their editorial independence, and have staged several strikes and have called for more consultation on the proposed deal. If the deal does go through LVMH could sell Les Echos rival business daily La Tribune, due to French antitrust and media laws, Reuters reported.
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