60 Million Consumers magazine: staffers call to ‘save’ the publication, but with great difficulty

The staff of 60 Millions de consommateurs magazine are calling for the publication to be “saved” because it is in danger due to what they say is insufficient investment, their representatives said in a press release on Tuesday.

With about fifty people, 60 million consumers born in 1970 are published by the National Institute of Consumer Affairs (INC), a government agency. “An independent public newspaper, without advertising it would not be profitable enough,” editorial representatives note.

But they said the monthly “continues to be deliberately weakened in recent years” with the elimination of 11 positions in 2021 and the current failure to replace 11 departures. In addition, “subscription campaigns and digital development are being suspended,” and as for the benchmarking budget, “our core business has halved in five years,” they lament.

The Senate report on the 2022 budget mentions a “gradual reduction in the subsidy amount” of the INC from €6.3 million to €2.7 million between 2012 and 2020. However, “this is because the grant allows her to hire experts and conduct tests so that the journal can then contain interesting and high-quality investigations,” the senators noted.

Transfer to “Que Choisir”?

Last year, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the supervisory authority, ordered a review, which resulted in several scenarios being proposed, including the sale of ownership. The idea of ​​selling to rival magazine Que Choisir or consumer associations is repeated.

Another scenario has since been developed by INC staff and management, with the support of the association Un bout des medias: it would preserve the magazine, currently in paper and digital versions, “from widespread use by 60 million consumers.” brand, strengthen consumer education,” indicate employee representatives. A “junior” version of the magazine was published in December.

They also suggest “expanding partnerships for in-depth research and surveys and increasing collaboration with consumer associations.”

Bercy ministers Bruno Le Maire, Olivia Grégoire and Thomas Cazenave are asked to meet “so that they can quickly decide on the future of the title.”

“More than ever, consumer citizens need education, reliable and independent information to understand and inform their choices and avoid the pitfalls of fraud,” staff insist.

When asked by AFP, INC management did not want to comment.