Philippe Carli, the CEO of Ebra Group, has officially tendered his resignation amid growing backlash over his controversial social media activity.
On January 28, 2025, the Crédit Mutuel, the sole shareholder of the group, announced Carli's resignation following revelations of his engagement with far-right content on platforms like LinkedIn. Carli, who had been at the helm of Ebra since 2017, faced significant pressure to step down after he was reported to have "liked" posts from extreme-right figures, including European Parliament member Sarah Knafo.
Following the surfacing of this information, reactions rippled through the various Ebra-managed editorial offices. Marie-Sophie Kormann, the secretary of the Works Council for the group’s flagship newspaper, the Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace, expressed relief, stating, "It’s an immense relief... we couldn’t remain with this thorn in our side." This sentiment echoed through the ranks of journalists who had been contemplating open letters to express their dismay over Carli’s actions.
The urgency for Carli's resignation intensified as unions, particularly the CGT and CFDT, openly demanded his departure. Olivier Brégeard, from CFDT, commented, "It seemed difficult to maintain his position. He took his responsibilities; it was undoubtedly the best decision to take." The climate within Ebra demanded leadership aligned with the values of impartiality and journalistic integrity, and Carli's disturbing associations put those values at risk.
Despite initially attempting to mitigate the situation, Carli's explanations were perceived as inadequate. He first claimed his Linked-In account had been hacked before admitting later on to practices he described as "rapid" and "clumsy". Shortly thereafter, Carli stated, "If my social media practice seemed partisan and led people to believe our newspapers reflect such political views, I apologize and will be more vigilant going forward." Yet, these apologies seemed to carry little weight, leading to the inevitable conclusion of his resignation.
Carli officially announced, "For the sake of the Ebra group, I have decided to leave my presidency." Crédit Mutuel commended this move as "a responsible decision allowing the editorial teams of Ebra to regain serenity, particularly during these challenging economic times." The bank elaborated on its commitment to ensuring no ambiguity would cloud the independence of the group’s various editorial lines.
Ebra Group oversees several prominent regional titles, including Le Dauphiné Libéré, Le Bien Public, and L'Alsace, comprising over 1,400 journalists. This broad reach across eastern France makes the integrity of its leadership critically important.
Under Carli’s leadership since 2017, Ebra has attempted significant transformations, aimed at steering the group through the increasing pressures of the digital age. Nevertheless, these changes were met with friction, and Carli himself became mired amid both controversies and declining financial performances, culminating in reported losses of 17 million euros for 2023.
With hints of financial instability and operational challenges, Ebra finds itself at a crossroads with Carli's exit. His successor will need to navigate not only the current turbulence within the organization but also the broader industry shifts affecting regional journalism across France.
The future of Ebra is uncertain, but Credit Mutuel reassures its commitment to maintaining editorial independence and quality journalism. "We will prioritize the principles formulated by the editorial offices, ensuring the defense of truth, independence, and the rejection of any form of editorial pressure," the bank declared.
Philippe Carli’s resignation marks not only the end of his tenure but potentially signals the need for new leadership strategies to steer Ebra through the murky waters of modern media management. Journalists and employees alike are hopeful for changes to restore their groups' credibility and public trust.