Europe’s richest man goes to war with French journalists

The billionaire owner of luxury goods giant LVMH has ignited a war with French journalists after he ordered staff not to speak to “unscrupulous” reporters. 

In a memo to senior employees, Bernard Arnault issued a formal block on sharing confidential information with the press and named seven publications that were subject to an “absolute ban”.

In the note, first published by La Lettre, he wrote: “I will be uncompromising about any breach of these rules, which to me would represent an unacceptable failure of loyalty.

“Any breach (and this would inevitably be known) will be considered as gross misconduct and come with the corresponding consequences.”

Mr Arnault, who is worth $174bn (£130bn) according to Forbes, listed La Lettre, Glitz Paris, Miss Tweed, L’Informé, Puck, Mediapart and Le Canard as the publications subject to a blacklist.

The missive sparked a furious response from French journalists, who accused Europe’s richest man of trying to rob his staff of their freedom of speech.

In an open letter published in Le Monde, they wrote: “Both inside and outside the business, employees benefit from their freedom of expression.

“Their duty of loyalty must not allow their employers to deprive them of their fundamental rights by banning all contact with individuals of their choice.

“Such a blanket ban is also illegal as it attempts to stymie regulations protecting whistleblowers.”

The letter was signed by unions representing journalists at a host of French publications, including Les Echos and Le Parisien, which are both owned by Mr Arnault.

It is not the first time the billionaire, whose luxury empire owns brands including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Tiffany and Moët Hennessy, has clashed with journalists.

Staff at financial newspaper Les Echos staged their first strike in 16 years last summer amid a row over editorial independence.

Journalists protested against the ousting of editor Nicolas Barré, which they said was a response to the newspaper publishing unflattering stories about Mr Arnault and LVMH.

They also accused him of undermining their right to veto Mr Barré’s replacement.

Mr Arnault’s growing control of French media has sparked accusations he is trying to use his outlets to gain political influence and quash criticism of his business interests.

In addition to the two newspaper titles, the billionaire also owns Radio Classique and a number of business publications, while he is closing in on a takeover of gossip magazine Paris Match.

The French media industry is controlled by a small number of billionaire moguls, others of whom have also courted controversy.

Vincent Bolloré, the 72-year-old tycoon behind Canal+ owner Vivendi, completed a takeover of rival Lagardère, cementing his control of outlets including weekly newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD) and radio station Europe 1.

Staff at the JDD went on strike last year in protest against the appointment of a prominent conservative journalist as editor, warning it set a “dangerous precedent” for French media. 

LVMH has been contacted for comment.