LEAST BIASED
These sources have minimal bias and use very few loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using an appeal to emotion or stereotypes). The reporting is factual and usually sourced. These are the most credible media sources. See all Least Biased Sources.
- Overall, we rate RFI (Radio France Internationale) Least Biased based on reasonably balanced story selection and editorial positions. We also rate them Mostly Factual in reporting rather than High due to the occasional use of poor sources.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEAST BIASED
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL
Country: France
Press Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Radio Station
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Launched in 1975, Radio France Internationale, often referred to as RFI, is a French International public radio station based in Paris/France. RFI broadcasts in French and 13 other languages and 156 different FM frequencies. RFI (Radio France Internationale) covers general news and 24-hour breaking news, culture (Predominantly French Culture), science, and technology.
On 4/14/2022, RFI was blocked in Russia without the reason given.
Funded by / Ownership
The French government owns RFI (Radio France Internationale) through France Médias Monde (FMM). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Budget funds RFI. France Médias Monde (FMM) group also owns TV news broadcaster France 24 and Arabic-language radio station Monte Carlo Doualiya. The President and CEO of France Media Monde (FMM) is Marie-Christine Saragosse.
Analysis / Bias
In 2021 Reporters Without Borders ranked France 34/180 in their Press Freedom Index. The current President of France is Emmanuel Macron, who leans center-right.
Read our profile on France’s Media and Government.
In review, RFI (Radio France Internationale) publishes articles with minimal emotionally loaded language, such as this concerning President Macron: “Macron plan to slash France’s wealth tax clears key hurdle.” Further, RFI equally covers the opposition conservative right-wing party Les Républicains “2020: does the right Jacob have a future?” and La France Insoumise (Unbowed France) far-left party leader Mélenchon: “France: Mélenchon believes that pension reform can revive the left.”
On the issues such as immigration, RFI’s coverage is poorly sourced and presents a negative tone: “France should send home more illegal immigrants, says report.” In this article, RFI refers to “a report”; however, they don’t link to the report. When it comes to sourcing, RFI often hyperlinks to itself and credible sources through quotes and links such as AFP news agency, fcc.gov., le monde, France24, who.int, and gouvernement.fr. RFI also uses factually mixed sources such as scmp.com and biorxiv.org. When covering world news pertaining to the USA, they cover the Trump administration with emotionally loaded language, such as in this article “Trump’s Twitter war turns against Twitter itself”; however, coverage is balanced. The news is generally reported mostly factually with a slight right-center lean editorially.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate RFI (Radio France Internationale) Least Biased based on reasonably balanced story selection and editorial positions. We also rate them Mostly Factual in reporting rather than High due to the occasional use of poor sources. (M. Huitsing 5/30/2020) Updated (04/15/2022)
Source: http://www.rfi.fr/en/
Last Updated on June 30, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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