A leaked audio clip capturing a heated exchange between Georges-Louis Bouchez, leader of Belgium’s Mouvement Réformateur (MR), and a journalist from public broadcaster RTBF has ignited a debate on press freedom, political pressure, and media ethics.
The clip, which surfaced over the weekend, ends abruptly with Bouchez appearing to lose his temper. He is heard telling the journalist to “send” the author of a disputed article to him, adding: “I promise you they will be well received and might need a card afterwards.”
The controversy stems from an RTBF article published in late July, based on an investigation by Le Vif magazine. The piece alleged that a vehicle occasionally driven by Bouchez and his partner had been temporarily issued with an invalid disabled parking badge, resulting in multiple parking fines.
However, the report contained significant factual inaccuracies, wrongly linking Bouchez and his partner to the misuse of the badge. Enraged by the claims, Bouchez contacted another RTBF journalist to demand a retraction. According to L’Avenir, several witnesses were present during the call, portions of which were recorded and later leaked.
The leaked excerpt has been widely debated on social media, with some interpreting Bouchez’s “card” remark as a veiled threat that the journalist might require a disability badge after their meeting. Bouchez has since told L’Avenir that he was referring to a press card, not a mobility card.
RTBF later republished the article with corrections and, according to L’Avenir, issued an apology to Bouchez. The broadcaster, however, declined to confirm this publicly.
Following mounting speculation, RTBF spokesperson Axelle Pollet stated on Sunday that the corrections were made solely “to enhance precision” and denied that the outlet had bowed to political pressure. She emphasised that the article had been a collaborative effort rather than the work of a single journalist.
Boulevard Reyers, RTBF’s headquarters in Brussels, has since sought to de-escalate the dispute, calling for constructive journalism. The broadcaster also distanced itself from the creation and circulation of the “incomplete” audio excerpt and said no internal investigation had yet been launched to find the source of the leak—though it might consider one in the future.
Bouchez, who has not issued a direct public statement on the matter, has frequently reposted comments online questioning both the legality of the recording and the ethical implications of publishing it.
The incident has reignited long-standing discussions in Belgium about the delicate balance between press freedom and political accountability. Critics argue that any perception of intimidation toward journalists threatens democratic norms, while supporters of Bouchez insist that he was defending himself against inaccurate reporting.
As the political fallout continues, both RTBF and Bouchez remain under scrutiny—not only for their words, but also for the broader questions the episode raises about truth, accountability, and the relationship between politicians and the press.
