Political row as report calls for sweeping cuts to French public broadcasting

National Rally’s Marine Le Pen says the inquiry has ‘shone a light’ on public broadcasting’s ‘multiple attacks on political neutrality’. Photograph: Julien de Rosa/AFP/Getty Images

French politicians on the left and centre have criticised a parliament inquiry report that recommends sweeping cuts to public broadcasting, with a row over culture wars building before next year’s presidential election.

State broadcasting is a key topic in the run-up to next April’s vote. The far right, which is leading in the polls, is highly critical of public TV and radio and is vowing to privatise it.