French journalists jointly condemn Le Pen's 'bulletproof suit' remark against Mediapart

Journalists from several French news organizations have published a joint statement condemning comments made by National Rally (RN) leader Marine Le Pen against investigative outlet Mediapart. On Tuesday, Le Pen said the outlet would need to put on a bulletproof vest to withstand her party's response.

The remark came after Mediapart published a report earlier in the week detailing alleged anti-Semitic comments made by RN party president Jordan Bardella.

Journalists push back

In their joint statement, journalists from newsrooms with differing editorial lines said they unreservedly condemn not only Le Pen's remark but also a broader pattern of attacks by the far right on journalists across France. They argue that by suggesting Mediapart don a "Kevlar suit," Le Pen effectively put a target on journalists.

The statement describes such intimidation tactics as characteristic of authoritarian regimes around the world, warning that they threaten the public's right to information in a democratic country. The journalists point to press freedom as a guarantee under the European Convention on Human Rights and international law, calling journalism an essential check on political power.

The signatories stressed that journalists work from evidence, report facts, analyze events and expose coordinated communication campaigns while adhering to ethical standards, regardless of their outlet's political leanings. They said it is alarming that political leaders seeking to govern the country would act this way.

The controversy comes as polls currently show Le Pen leading ahead of the first round of France's presidential election, scheduled for April 18, 2027.