A wealthy Catholic media mogul is dealing with a backlash from independent bookstores in France regarding his sway over the publishing realm. Several bookstore owners are reacting against the growing influence of Vincent Bolloré, who controls a media and publishing conglomerate that includes television, radio, and the prominent Sunday newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, as well as owning Hachette Livre, the largest book publisher and distributor in France since 2023.

Book owners like Thibaut Willems, of independent bookshop Le Pied à Terre in Paris, are reducing their orders of Hachette Livre books and displaying them on lower shelves as a form of protest. They are also scaling back promotional events for Hachette titles, with exceptions for works by specific, favored authors.

Bolloré has faced criticism for the political leanings of his media outlets, with some labeling him “very close to the most radical far right.” Despite Bolloré’s claim that his media acquisitions are financially motivated and his cultural portfolio diverse, some independent booksellers argue that such concentration of influence is detrimental to democracy.

In addition to changes by bookshops, protesters have begun a “bookmark rebellion,” slipping notes in paperbacks criticizing Hachette and Bolloré’s control, notably within high-selling titles. This non-violent form of protest highlights the growing concern about corporate media influence in culture and literature.

While acknowledging the difficulty of avoiding books from such a dominant publisher, bookstore owners are taking steps like selective boycotts or themed events to address the issue. With support from notable authors like Annie Ernaux, who has voiced her refusal to be published by Hachette, the movement reflects a broader concern about the monopolization of cultural spaces.

The worries about media concentration parallel the historical expansion of media moguls like Rupert Murdoch, which has raised similar concerns about freedom of expression. As the debate continues, Hachette Livre faces pressure not only from the market but also from within its own ranks, with staff voicing concern over the alignment of its editorial stance with Bolloré’s other media interests. Yet Bolloré’s media empire, including television and print, continues to expand, leaving many to ponder the implications for cultural and democratic pluralism.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/22/mutiny-brews-french-bookshops-hachette-owner-media-grip