Under the new law, the CSA may well only be able to oppose a merger or acquisition on the grounds that such would adversely affect the plurality and freedom of information, but not in respect of general competition matters. The Communication blurs the distinction between plurality/freedom of information on the one hand and competition on the other. By failing to allocate competence clearly in relation to competition matters, this draft law succeeds merely in perpetuating the confusion in relation to division of competence between the CSA and Minister of the Economy.

Nicholas Charbit/ Isabelle MacElhone
Freshfields
Paris