TV5’s boss on her way to head AEF

Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 07-09-2012

TV5Monde boss, Marie-Christine Saragosse has been selected by French TV regulator CSA to succeed to Alain de Pouzilhac as next president of AEF, the holding that runs France 24, RFI and part of TV5.

The announcement still must be given the green light by French President François Hollande and once confirmed Saragosse will have to handle the new reorganisation of France 24 and RFI, now merged but shaken by years of in-house conflicts.

The CSA’s choice has been decided just after ten candidates were heard. If Marie-Christine Saragosse is approved by Elysée, a new public hearing will take place at CSA, ahead of the validation by the Cultural Affairs commissions of both Assemblies.

Leaving for AEF, Marie-Christine Saragosse will have to be replaced at TV5Monde, and such a nomination depends from France and its partners into the French-speaking international channel, Switzerland, Belgium and Canada. According to TV5Monde’s statute, AEF President is the non-executive chairman of TV5 with no effective power.