FranceOwnership & classification
Founded: 1944
Ownership
Le Monde, founded in December 1944 at the urging of Charles de Gaulle, is published by Groupe Le Monde. Journalists held a controlling stake from 1944 until 2010, when financial distress forced them to cede control to the trio of Pierre Bergé, Xavier Niel and Matthieu Pigasse. The group is now controlled via the holding Le Monde Libre (about 72.5%), split in equal thirds between Le Nouveau Monde (Matthieu Pigasse and Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský, who bought into Pigasse's stake in 2018), NJJ Presse (telecoms entrepreneur Xavier Niel) and Berlys Media (Madison Cox, Bergé's heir); the Spanish media group Prisa holds the remaining ~20%.
Funding
Financed commercially through print and digital subscriptions (one of France's largest paid digital news audiences), newsstand sales and advertising, backed by its private billionaire shareholders. No state or party funding.
Affiliation & stance
A centre-left reference daily. Despite billionaire ownership, a Pôle d'indépendance grouping journalists, staff and readers holds a blocking minority and a contractual veto allowing it to delay any sale of a controlling stake, an arrangement strengthened after the 2018 Křetínský deal. Because it is privately owned with entrenched editorial-independence safeguards and no party or state control, it is INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 897
79/100
Factual
77/100
Objective
1121
Articles
1087
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
LIVE War in Ukraine: Ukrainian drone forces shoot down two Russian fighter jets and a reconnaissance drone
According to local authorities, Ukrainian drones have also targeted several elements of Russia's air defense systems during ongoing operations in Ukraine. The report highlights the increasing use of drone technology by Ukrainian forces in combat scenarios against Russian military assets.
Gaza: Israeli airstrikes kill three Palestinians, including a child, according to aid workers
According to reports from Palestinian rescue organizations, Israeli strikes have killed three Palestinians in Gaza, including a four-year-old child. The casualties occurred in Al-Zawya, a city in central Gaza, and another individual was killed in the Nuseibah refugee camp. The article does not specify the exact number of Israeli casualties or provide further details on the incident.
Badminton: Alex Lanier, the first Frenchman to be crowned world champion
French badminton players Alex Lanier and the mixed doubles pair Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel won world championship titles at the Badminton World Championships in New Delhi, India. In the men's singles category, 21-year-old Alex Lanier became the first French player to win a world title in singles, defeating Japan's Kodai Naraoka in straight sets. This achievement marks a significant milestone for French badminton, which has been rapidly rising in international rankings despite being dominated by Asian countries like China and South Korea. In the mixed doubles event, Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel defeated top-ranked Chinese duo Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping after a closely contested match, marking another historic victory for French badminton. The success highlights the growing competitiveness of French athletes in a traditionally Asian-dominated sport.
The Constitutional Council, the dividing line between Gabriel Attal, Edouard Philippe and Bruno Retailleau
The article titled 'Le Conseil constitutionnel, ligne de fracture entre Gabriel Attal, Edouard Philippe et Bruno Retailleau' from L'Express discusses a disagreement among French political figures regarding the Constitutional Council. The piece highlights tensions between Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, former President François Hollande's advisor Edouard Philippe, and Minister Bruno Retailleau over the role and decisions of the Constitutional Council. The conflict appears to center around differing views on constitutional interpretation and governance, reflecting broader ideological divides within the government.
'Any help is welcome', says Jean-Luc Mélenchon to Marine Tondelier
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader du mouvement La France Insoumise, a affirmé lors d'une interview sur TF1 que toute aide extérieure serait la bienvenue pour son parti, notamment face à Marine Tondelier des écologistes. Il a souligné que les partis de gauche, tels que les socialistes et les Verts, n'avaient encore pas défini leur stratégie ou choisi leurs candidats à seulement six mois de distance des élections. Mélenchon a également défendu sa vision d'un État écologique, appelant à la création d'«éco-régions» chargées de prévention, de réparation et de vigilance environnementale. Il a critiqué la mentalité «défaitiste» selon laquelle ses électeurs ne pourraient jamais gagner, rappelant qu'ils avaient été très proches de battre Marine Le Pen lors des dernières élections.
Drownings up 14% compared to 2025, with 301 deaths since 19 June, according to Sports Minister
According to French Minister of Sports Marina Ferrari, there has been a 14% increase in drownings compared to 2025, with 301 deaths reported since June 19. The minister highlighted that many fatal incidents occur in unauthorized and unsupervised swimming areas, raising concerns about water safety regulations and oversight.
In the Ukrainian attack on Belgorod killed six people, among the wounded children
On August 17, 2026, an Ukrainian missile attack struck the Russian region of Belgorod, killing six people and injuring four, including a 14-year-old child. The attack reportedly hit the village of Koloskovo in the Valuysky district, damaging a building and a vehicle. In addition, a woman was killed in another Ukrainian strike in Russia’s Astrakhan region, which targeted industrial infrastructure. According to French news agency AFP, at least 19 people were killed in mutual attacks between Ukraine and Russia over the weekend. Russia’s defense ministry described the Ukrainian strikes, some involving hundreds of drones, as the largest since the start of the year. One of the targets was a warehouse belonging to the Russian e-commerce company Wildberries, which Kyiv claims supplies parts for drones to the Russian military. Meanwhile, in southern Odessa Oblast, a Russian night attack on Izmail caused fires that have been extinguished. A civilian ship flying the flag of Tuva was damaged during the attack, leaving four people injured. Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz reported that Russia conducted 13 attacks on its facilities across Ukraine in the past week, targeting production and能源
Lens-PSG: "I'm happy with what I saw, not the result" Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique, entraîneur du PSG, a commenté la défaite de son équipe contre Lens (1-0) lors du Trophée des Champions. Bien que le PSG ait perdu, il a exprimé sa satisfaction face à la performance générale de ses jouleurs, soulignant notamment leur mobilité et leur intensité. Il a reconnu que l'équipe a manqué de finalisation dans les actions offensives, mais a jugé que Lens a eu moins d'occasions que dans leurs précédentes confrontations. Luis Enrique a également mentionné la qualité des joueurs de Lens et a encouragé son équipe à continuer à jouer avec la même mentalité. Il a refusé de commenter le mercato avant sa fin et a insisté sur la nécessité de progresser physiquement et techniquement pour la saison.
Customs duties: Tensions rise between the US and Canada after negotiations fail
Tensions are escalating between the United States and Canada over new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Canadian goods such as cement and hockey sticks. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to impose retaliatory tariffs of the same amount 'to the dollar.' The dispute follows failed negotiations aimed at resolving trade tensions, which have worsened since Trump's second term began. U.S. officials expressed disappointment with last-minute changes made by Canada, calling them unfair and undermining the reliability of any agreement. These tariffs, initially set to take effect in July, were delayed until late August after discussions progressed. While most Canadian products are duty-free under the USMCA trade deal, recent tariffs have significantly impacted strategic sectors like aluminum, steel, and automotive industries.
In Ukraine war: Vladimir Putin promises much more destructive attacks against Kiev and talks of retaliatory measures
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated during a live broadcast that Russia would launch 'much more destructive' attacks against Kyiv in response to Ukrainian strikes targeting economic and logistical infrastructure within Russia. He directly linked the escalation in Russian military operations to Ukraine’s actions, suggesting these retaliatory measures would be significant. The statement comes amid ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, where both sides have been conducting attacks on each other's territory. Putin's remarks indicate a potential further intensification of hostilities, raising concerns about increased civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure.
Tehran threatens to retaliate against any country that supports US economic sanctions
The Iranian regime has threatened retaliation against any country supporting U.S. economic sanctions. This comes after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the United States' intention to 'bring down' the Iranian regime through new sanctions. He is set to outline the specifics of this increased pressure on Monday.
Presidential election 2027: bosses call for the economy to be at the heart of the debate
Business leaders in France, represented by Les Entrepreneurs (formerly CPME) and Medef, are urging that economic issues and wealth creation be central to the presidential debate ahead of the 2027 election. This call comes amid concerns over national debt and public finances. The groups emphasize the importance of economic policies in shaping the country’s future, suggesting that economic stability and growth should be prioritized in political discussions.
Togo confirms prosecution of two detained French filmmakers
The Togolese authorities have confirmed legal proceedings against two French directors and their Togolese colleague who were arrested in July while filming an episode of the documentary series 'Les routes de l'impossible' for France Télévisions. The three men, Gaël Mocaër, Sebastian Perez Pezzani, and Fred Vedomey, are accused of using a drone in areas under a heightened security regime, specifically the Savanes region in the north, which has been under emergency status since 2022 due to jihadist threats. Their lawyers deny the allegations, and organizations like Reporters Without Borders are calling for their immediate release. The Togolese Ministry claims they had an authorization signed by Vedomey Komi, but this was limited to specific locations not including Savanes. The trio was presented before the prosecutor in Lomé in August and are held in secure conditions with access to consular assistance and family communication.