BEOwnership & classification
Founded: 1887
Ownership
Le Soir is the leading French-language quality daily in Belgium, founded on 17 December 1887 by Emile Rossel and partners as a politically independent, advertising-financed paper. It remains owned by the family-controlled Rossel Group (Rossel & Cie S.A.), based in Brussels, which is still held by heirs of the founders and also owns French regional title La Voix du Nord and other Belgian outlets.
Funding
Funded commercially through newspaper sales, a digital subscription/paywall and advertising within the privately owned Rossel media group; it receives no state or party subsidy.
Affiliation & stance
Le Soir is privately owned by the Rossel family's commercial media group with no party or state control, which makes it INDEPENDENT as the site indicates. Its editorial stance is mainstream centre/centre-left and it positions itself as a politically independent quality newspaper.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 161
70/100
Factual
69/100
Objective
371
Articles
371
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Flydubai flight foiled: co-pilot aimed at Tel Aviv airport
A copilot attempted to hijack Flydubai flight 1073 with the intent of crashing it into Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. According to reports from U.S. networks such as ABC News, CNN, and NPR, along with Israeli channel Channel 12, the individual used a hatchet to attack the captain and take control of the aircraft. The suspect was reportedly acting alone and had previously been suspended by another airline due to concerns over potential radicalization. The incident was narrowly avoided, and the plane did not crash. This event has raised concerns among Belgian pilots regarding aviation security.
Trump allows all Americans to buy red diesel
The headline states that Donald Trump authorized all Americans to purchase red diesel, but the article text provided is incomplete and does not contain sufficient information to determine the full context or implications of this claim. The phrase 'diesel rouge' translates to 'red diesel,' which typically refers to a type of diesel fuel used in non-road vehicles and agricultural machinery, often sold at a lower tax rate. However, without additional details, it is unclear whether this authorization relates to regulatory changes, environmental policies, or economic measures. The article appears to be a brief mention rather than a comprehensive report.
Wrong dates, forged invoices, a major green certificate fraud discovered in Flanders
A major green certificate fraud scandal has been uncovered in Flanders, involving over 170 million euros in fraudulent certificates. The network manager Fluvius detected these irregularities over eight years, leading to the suspension of payments for suspected fraudulent certificates. Between 2018 and 2025, more than 1,000 cases were identified, with many involving falsified dates on invoices and control reports. These fraudulent practices allowed owners to benefit from more favorable green certificates, despite solar panels being installed later. The Flemish government had granted Fluvius expanded powers in 2017 to detect such irregularities. As of now, 26 million euros have been recovered from previously paid fraudulent certificates.
Belgium's first cheese maker has just been revealed
On October 4th, the 9th edition of the 'Premier Fromager de Belgique' competition took place in Herve, celebrating the city's 30th anniversary of its iconic AOP Herve cheese. Bénédicte Herlinvaux, owner of Fromage&Cie in Bastogne, won the title, becoming the first woman to do so. The competition featured four candidates, two men and two women, who participated in eight challenges, including blind tasting, packaging, and creating a perfect pairing with Herve cheese. Herlinvaux excelled across all categories and will now represent Belgium at the next global cheese monger competition. The event was organized by the Federation of Belgian Cheesemakers and the SPF Finance.
State of emergency declared in New York due to measles
The article reports that New York State has declared a state of emergency due to a significant rise in measles cases. Governor Kathy Hochul announced this measure to enhance efforts against the outbreak by accelerating testing and vaccination campaigns. As of October 3, there were 108 confirmed cases, with seven in New York City alone. The surge in cases began around mid-July, and authorities attribute the decline in vaccine coverage across the country to the increase in outbreaks. This situation is part of a broader trend in the United States, where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 3,887 cases as of October 2, marking the highest number in 30 years.
Brussels and Wallonia more at risk of burnout than Flanders
A new report by the interdisciplinary group UGent@Work reveals that nearly one-third of Belgian workers are at risk of burnout, with 14% facing a very high risk. The study, supported by the Helios Foundation, highlights regional disparities, showing higher burnout risks in Brussels (44%) and Wallonia (36%) compared to Flanders (28%). Factors contributing to this include excessive cognitive workload, bureaucracy, and unnecessary tasks. Nearly half of all Belgian workers (47%) feel they perform redundant or overly complex tasks, with higher rates reported in Wallonia and among civil servants. Researchers note that despite increased attention to workplace well-being, burnout rates have continued to rise since 2018.
This Tuesday, October 6th, we have a special programme for you.
The article highlights a television documentary titled 'Poulet Mania' airing on France 5, which examines the growing consumption of poultry in France, surpassing pork. It discusses the industrialization of chicken farming, including genetically modified breeds like 'turbo-poulets' and their health implications. The documentary also explores the challenges faced by organic and Label Rouge producers, the prevalence of ultra-processed foods among young people, and the trend of fried chicken ('crousty') popularized on social media. It concludes by praising the documentary for its balanced approach, giving voice to both industry insiders and local producers.
Fuels: refuelling becomes a headache for the road industry
The article discusses the rising cost of fuel in Belgium, particularly affecting transportation workers such as taxi drivers. Since the start of the U.S.-Iran war, diesel prices have surged, reaching historic highs of over 2.50 euros per liter. Gasoline prices have also increased by around 26% since February. Taxi drivers, who travel between 70,000 and 100,000 kilometers annually, face significant financial strain as fuel costs make up a quarter of their operating expenses. However, regulated taxi fares have not been adjusted to reflect these increases, leaving drivers caught between rising costs and fixed pricing structures. The situation is further complicated by pressure from ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt.
Fuel oil prices: households are eagerly awaiting winter
The price of heating oil has risen sharply since the start of the war in the Persian Gulf, increasing by 80% compared to early March. Many Belgian households that rely on heating oil are delaying their purchases due to high prices, leading to a 30% drop in sales this year. Some are opting for smaller deliveries of up to 1,000 liters or using small containers for emergency heating needs. Companies like Octa+ report that customers are increasingly spreading out payments over the year rather than paying upfront. The company warns that if households wait too long, they risk running out of fuel entirely, which could complicate restarting their heating systems during winter. There is also concern about potential shortages of petroleum supplies and logistical challenges in delivering fuel to all customers who delay their orders.
Tonight, it's a counter-performance : the Red Devils don't hide after the heavy defeat against France
The Belgian national football team, known as the Red Devils, suffered a heavy defeat against France during the second half of their match. Despite taking the lead at halftime, they were unable to maintain their advantage and ultimately lost the game. Players expressed disappointment with the outcome, acknowledging mistakes made in the latter part of the match. They emphasized the need to focus on their own performance rather than solely on the opponent and highlighted areas for improvement moving forward. The loss has left them frustrated but determined to continue striving for qualification in the Nations League.
Today's Kroll on the agreement on the Brussels budget
The Brussels regional government has reached an agreement on the 2027 budget, projecting a deficit reduction to €719 million from €957 million in 2026. The budget includes measures such as zero-interest renovation loans, doubled Be Home subsidies, and symbolic sale of the minister-president’s office. While some policies like maintaining family allowances remain unchanged, uncertainties persist around other provisions. The government credits collective efforts since 2024, during which the deficit was reduced from €1.552 billion. Key financial support mechanisms, including the replacement of Rénolution grants with new loan programs, are highlighted.
Brussels budget: Show me the money !
The article discusses the Brussels regional government's budget announcement and the skepticism surrounding its financial commitments. After 600 days of fiscal stagnation, the coalition claims to have reduced the deficit from 957 to 719 million euros and aims for balance by 2029. However, critics argue that the lack of detailed figures and transparency undermines these claims. The government has not provided clear data on debt levels, the use of accounting codes like 'code 8,' or specific spending allocations. Political tensions also persist within the coalition, with disagreements over procedural issues such as voting conditions. While some funding plans are outlined, the absence of concrete evidence and ongoing disputes cast doubt on the government’s ability to effectively manage its finances.
Despite the heavy defeat, Mark van Bommel remains positive: Let's not get stuck on this last quarter of an hour in France
Mark van Bommel, coach de l'équipe nationale belge, exprime sa satisfaction malgré la lourde défaite face à la France (4-1) lors d'un match de Nations League. Il souligne que l'équipe belge a bien joué durant les quatre matchs, mais reconnaît avoir eu du mal à résister à la qualité du jeu français. Van Bommel défend ses décisions tactiques, notamment la titularisation de Romelu Lukaku, et affirme que la compétition n'est qu'une préparation pour l'Euro 2028. Il promet de continuer à travailler avec son équipe pour améliorer leur performance contre des adversaires de haut niveau.