PARIS — On Oct. 9, 44 years to the day after France abolished the death penalty, France Médias Monde — the French holding company for the state’s international broadcasting services — paid tribute to Robert Badinter, the lawyer, statesman and former Minister of Justice whose lifelong fight for human dignity led to historic reform.
Badinter’s induction into the Panthéon — the highest honor the French Republic can bestow upon a person after their death — was broadcast in 21 languages across the group’s international networks — Radio France Internationale, France 24 and Monte Carlo Doualiya. The broadcasts brought this national tribute to audiences around the world, via special multilingual programming: portraits, reports, interviews and archival material.
“The death penalty is contrary to what humanity holds most precious: life,” declared Badinter before the National Assembly in 1981. This conviction inspired a lifetime dedicated to justice and human rights. Badinter died on Feb. 9, 2024, at the age of 95.
Reaching 254 million people weekly in 21 languages, France Médias Monde — through RFI, France 24 and MCD — gave this national tribute a global resonance
A powerful insight
Under the direction of Sylvie Noël, RFI’s deputy to the director in charge of World News, the broadcaster offered special programming in the days leading up to and during the ceremony. “La Marche du Monde” (“March of the World”), on Oct. 4, revisited Robert Badinter’s major battles — abolition of the death penalty, the opening of courtrooms to cameras, and the decriminalization of homosexuality. “Sur le pont des Arts” (“On the Arts Bridge”), on Oct. 7, explored his legacy through the graphic novel “L’Abolition : Le combat de Robert Badinter” (“The Abolition: The Fight of Robert Badinter”) and the documentary “Badinter contre la peine de mort. Le procès de Patrick Henry” (“Badinter Against the Death Penalty. The Trial of Patrick Henry”).
On the day itself, in “Le Grand invité international” (“The Great International Guest”), live editions featured historians, jurists and Badinter’s former collaborators, offering historical and personal insights. The special program was produced in RFI’s in-house studio, rather than outsourced, and aired live from 7:10 p.m. to 8 p.m. It was also recorded for broadcast on YouTube.
In the studio, Romain Auzouy hosted a special edition featuring guests including historian Nicolas Picard, author of “The Supreme Punishment: The Application of the Death Penalty in France (1906–1981);” former Justice Minister Marylise Lebranchu; and magistrate Magali Lafourcade, secretary general of the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights. A previously unheard testimony from Badinter’s last collaborator offered both historical and personal insights. The discussion offered a powerful insight into the historical and legal dimensions of capital punishment in France, as well as the broader human rights issues it raises today.
A truly global resonance
During that national tribute, Romain Auzouy hosted live coverage with Baptiste Coulon and Jad Courie reporting from the Panthéon, gathering reactions from witnesses and experts to shed light on Badinter’s legacy. Actor Guillaume Gallienne read a text by Victor Hugo, a pioneer in the fight against the death penalty — himself buried in the Panthéon — while singer Julien Clerc performed his 1980 song “L’Assassin assassiné” (“The Murdered Murderer”).
On digital platforms, RFI’s “Voix d’archives” (“Voices from the Archive”) highlighted audio excerpts from Badinter’s historic speeches, an interactive map of the death penalty’s evolution worldwide and a multimedia portrait of the statesman.
France 24 aired special editions in French, English and Arabic, while Monte Carlo Doualiya offered live Arabic coverage and in-depth analysis of Badinter’s legacy and the state of capital punishment in the Arab world.
Reaching 254 million people weekly in 21 languages, France Médias Monde — through RFI, France 24 and MCD — gave this national tribute a global resonance.
The author has worked in the radio industry for over 30 years. She has held posts as both a producer and presenter for French stations such as Radio Notre Dame and Radio France’s France Culture. In addition to her involvement in academic research and EU consulting in Brussels, she also specializes in print journalism.
This story originally appeared in the November/December edition of RedTech Magazine.
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