FranceOwnership & classification
Founded: 1973
Ownership
Libération is a left-leaning Paris daily co-founded in 1973 by Jean-Paul Sartre and Serge July. After years of losses it came under the control of telecoms billionaire Patrick Drahi, whose Altice group held it via SFR Presse. In 2020 Drahi cleared its roughly €50 million in debt and transferred the title to a non-profit endowment fund (fonds de dotation) created by Altice, structured to give the paper editorial, economic and financial independence.
Funding
Libération is financed by subscriptions and newsstand sales plus advertising, and is underpinned by the Altice-created endowment fund that absorbed its debts and continues to support it.
Affiliation & stance
Editorially Libération is firmly on the centre-left/left with no party or state ownership. Its assets are held by a non-profit press-independence fund rather than by a party, church or the state, so it is classed INDEPENDENT, in line with the site's tag — though the fund's origin in a single billionaire's telecoms group is a noted caveat.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 496
75/100
Factual
71/100
Objective
568
Articles
568
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
Midterms: North Philadelphia, the political mid-terms of white suburban women
The article discusses the significance of the voting behavior of middle-aged white women in Philadelphia suburbs during the midterm elections. It highlights that this demographic is crucial for both Republicans and Democrats seeking to win Pennsylvania, a pivotal state in the mid-term elections scheduled for November. The piece notes that some women are showing increasing interest in politics, though they remain undecided.
France - Belgium: Dembélé next to his pumps, Olise, Cherki and Doué in the size of a boss... The notes of the Blues
In a football match between France and Belgium at the Stade de France, France initially trailed but eventually won 4-1 after substitutions including Désiré Doué, Michael Olise, and Rayan Cherki, who all scored goals. The victory marked Zinedine Zidane’s first win as coach at the stadium, following a previous draw against Italy. Despite the win, Ousmane Dembélé was criticized for a poor performance. Goalkeeper Guillaume Restes had little to do but was unable to stop Belgium’s opening goal. Defender Jules Koundé received a moderate rating for his defensive efforts, while Maxence Lacroix faced criticism for allowing Belgium’s first goal.
Theatre, dance, circus: ten shows not to be missed in October
The article lists ten theatrical performances, dance shows, and circus acts recommended by Libération for October. It highlights diverse productions including revisiting works by Sophocles, Ingmar Bergman, and Jean Genet, as well as more provocative pieces featuring artists like Solène Wachter and Christophe Montenez alongside Jules Sagot. The piece serves as a guide for audiences interested in cultural events during the autumn season, emphasizing artistic variety and bold creative choices.
In the face of the rise of the far right, to love Germany enough to leave it?
A member of Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is expected to be elected as the head of the regional parliament in Saxony-Anhalt on October 6. This development has prompted reflection among journalists and observers, including a correspondent based in Germany for three decades, who questions whether they should continue their work in the country as far-right politics gain influence.
48 48 hours of hell 48: traumatized high school students released from police custody
The article reports on the traumatic experience of several high school students who were detained during a protest and spent 48 hours in police custody. The students reportedly emerged from interrogation with psychological distress, raising concerns about the treatment they received while in custody. The piece highlights the emotional impact on young people involved in demonstrations and questions the conditions under which they were held.
With "Remember Me", the Pinault collection revisits its classics
The article discusses an extensive exhibition at the Bourse de Commerce titled 'Remember Me,' which showcases over 700 works by more than 70 artists to commemorate the bicentennial of photography's invention. The exhibition blends different artistic genres and periods, highlighting the evolution and diversity of photographic art. It emphasizes the historical significance of photography while presenting a curated selection of classic and contemporary pieces.
Love bombing: "She promised me we'd buy a farm, she left me a month later"
The article discusses a personal story shared in the third episode of a series, where Juliette recounts her romantic experience beginning on the dating app Hinge. She describes receiving numerous love messages, intense emotions, and grand declarations from her partner. However, she later experiences a 'cold shower' when the relationship ends shortly after, just one month later. The narrative highlights the emotional highs and lows of a short-lived romance initiated through a dating platform.
'Five organs, it's a bit of a dizziness': the fears and hopes of a young father before a high-risk abdominal transplant
Arnaud Lingrand, a 39-year-old doctor who is currently on sick leave, is preparing to undergo a highly complex and risky abdominal transplant operation. The procedure involves receiving five organs: a liver, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, and duodenum. This type of surgery is extremely rare and carries significant risks. Lingrand has shared his fears and hopes with the newspaper 'Libération' as he awaits the operation.
Repression of the high school student movement: This is an incredible police amateurism
The article discusses the handling of the student movement by French police, criticizing the approach as unprofessional. Sociologist Sebastian Roché, a researcher at CNRS, comments on the orders given by the Minister of the Interior to law enforcement, which led to an unusually high number of arrests and serious injuries.
To end with the summer of 2026, by Luc Le Vaillant
The article is a satirical piece criticizing the persistence of summer-like conditions into autumn, despite the changing season. It humorously addresses the annoyance caused by warm weather continuing well into the fall, which disrupts typical seasonal expectations. The tone is light-hearted and mocking, focusing on the inconvenience of prolonged warmth rather than any serious issue. No specific policies, individuals, or political actions are discussed, making the content more observational than analytical.
Early elections in Spain: why the Sanchez government has reached an impasse
The Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has called for early legislative elections scheduled for November 19 after facing significant political and social challenges. The decision came following the rejection of several key housing-related decrees by Parliament on October 2, which highlighted deepening political paralysis. Sánchez acknowledged governance failures and sought renewed public support. His administration has been reliant on a fragile coalition including radical leftist parties and Catalan independence groups, particularly those supporting controversial amnesty laws. This coalition has struggled to pass legislation, leading to a lack of budget approval since 2023. Recent scandals involving corruption allegations against his party members and criticism over handling the migrant crisis at Ceuta further weakened his position. Early elections risk exacerbating instability, with polls suggesting a decline in support for left-wing parties and potential gains for the right.
The Greg Guillotin case: the comedian sues his crisis communicator Florian Silnicki for "breach of trust"
The French comedian Greg Guillotin has filed a lawsuit against his crisis communicator, Florian Silnicki, accusing him of breaching confidentiality and trust. The complaint alleges that Silnicki, who works for the agency LaFrenchCom, violated their agreement by leaking information through both false articles and genuine leaks in the media. Guillotin is currently facing charges of domestic and sexual violence, which adds complexity to the legal and personal implications of this case.
High school students' anger: From abroad, this new crisis is a sign of discomfort and a paradox
This article reports on a school strike movement in France that has attracted international attention. Over 400 out of 3,700 schools were disrupted ahead of a third day of protests. International media outlets such as The Guardian, New York Times, and Japanese television network ANN highlight issues like underfunding, overcrowded classrooms, poor teacher pay, and lack of educators. Some foreign commentators, including Donald Trump Jr. and Iranian officials, criticize the protests as violent and linked to immigration policies. The article also notes parallels with past French social movements and mentions concerns over youth discontent, economic pressures, and the potential impact on President Emmanuel Macron’s upcoming election. Media outlets in Spain, Switzerland, and others connect the strikes to broader societal anxieties.