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The Mayor of Saint‑Denis, Bally Bagayoko, told a national TV interviewer he wants Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National barred from public airtime when its representatives “make racist remarks.” The call came amid the heated fallout from the Trappes drive‑by shooting and rushed media reports trying to tie the attacker to a political message. That rush collapsed when the National Anti‑Terrorism Prosecutor said no party leaflets were found and the suspect denied a racist motive. But Mayor Bagayoko’s solution was simple: silence your rivals. That is not a solution — it’s censorship dressed up as concern.
What Bagayoko actually said on LCI
On live television the Saint‑Denis mayor answered “Bien sûr” when asked if he would bar the National Rally from public airtime. He said anyone who “makes racist remarks all day long shouldn’t be given airtime” and promised that those “who participate in spreading hatred will be heavily punished, including in the media.” Those are blunt words from a man who represents a diverse suburban city. They are also blunt threats against political speech and press freedom when used without evidence or legal process.
Why this call is dangerous for free speech
Free speech is messy. It is supposed to be. Democracy depends on airing bad ideas and letting voters reject them, not on politicians calling for silence when the argument is unwelcome. Bagayoko’s demand is a shortcut to political censorship. It invites victorious partisans to use state power to shut down opponents next time the headlines get ugly. That may play well on a talk show, but it ends badly for liberty — and for any party that values its own future right to speak.
Legal reality and media mistakes
There are laws against incitement to hatred in France, and broadcasters must respect rules about hate speech. But those rules are applied case by case. Regulators like ARCOM and courts such as the Conseil d’État guard pluralism and legal procedure. You don’t get to broadcast someone off the air because a mayor says so on TV. Meanwhile, the Trappes story shows why haste is dangerous: major outlets had to correct reporting that falsely tied the attacker to RN leaflets. The prosecutor’s office made clear no party materials were found. If the left wants accountability, it should demand better journalism — not gag orders.
Political theater with real consequences
Bagayoko belongs to La France Insoumise and speaks for a political movement that has often cheered protests and pushed hard on media narratives. He has also been called before the Prefect of Police over comments on recent riots. Threatening to “heavily punish” media outlets and parties is less about protecting citizens than about scoring points. If the mayor truly cares about ending hate, he should back investigations and courts, not censorship. If he wants to win arguments, win them in public. Democracy is robust enough for that — unless, of course, you prefer the silence of victory.
