The company Endemol France, which produces the “Star Academy”, presented an apology on Sunday February 3 on the social network X, after extras from the telecrochet appeared with the far-right newspaper Rivarol during the final. “We apologize to viewers, artists and students,” wrote Endemol France. We regret and strongly condemn that a propaganda newspaper in total opposition to the values of the “Star Academy” appeared in a painting last night during the final. »
A video extract from the final was published and denounced on X, in particular by Tristan Mendès-France, specialist in online extremism. We see, alongside a competing singer, two extras each giving a copy of the weekly to two extras, who hold out their arms to read it.
Tristan Mendès-France specifies that the copies that appeared on the air date from January 31, 2024. The company specified that it was “in the process of investigating to understand how [this newspaper] was put during the broadcast” and assured that “Necessary sanctions will be taken accordingly.” “Star Academy” is a great family program that brings together all audiences around the values of entertainment, kindness and cohesion,” says Endemol.
Founded in 1951, the far-right weekly Rivarol is a flagship publication of the French far-right. In 2022, the weekly had its approval withdrawn by the Joint Commission for Publications and Press Agencies (CPPAP), which deprived it of the tax advantages and reduced postal rates enjoyed by newspapers.
Its publishing director, Jérôme Bourbon (his real first name is Fabrice), has been convicted around fifteen times, notably for negationism, incitement to hatred, protesting crimes against humanity and racist insults.