The daily newspaper Le Monde, once considered a pillar of French journalism, has lost its influence with political, economic, and media elites. This decline is primarily attributed to an evolution perceived as ideological and disconnected from the journalistic objectivity that defined the paper in its early years.

Founded by Hubert Beuve-Méry in 1944, Le Monde was intended to be a model of rigorous, “clear and true” information. However, today's leaders, from CEOs of the CAC 40 to former ministers, express their disappointment with a paper they now see as biased and politically engaged. They recall a time when Le Monde set the tone for journalism, its pages omnipresent in universities and political offices. That era is now over, replaced by journalistic practices considered sensationalist and ideologically driven, particularly in political coverage.

Criticism surrounds the current editorial line, especially in its coverage of major companies like Total, accused of manipulation and questionable practices. Some complain that the paper prioritizes ideological theses over factual accuracy. The methods of Mediapart, particularly its reliance on “kompromat” (compromising documents) and leaks from the judicial system, are often cited as evidence of the paper’s shift away from its original mission of rigorous investigative journalism.

The political sections of the paper are particularly contentious. Public figures, ranging from former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe to communication advisors, point out errors, omissions, and manipulations in the articles. Le Monde journalists are accused of favoring political bias, which makes them unreliable, even deceitful, in their handling of information. This shift is seen as a departure from the balance and rigor that characterized the paper’s earlier years.

Behind this change, internal tensions are also emerging within the newsroom. Experienced journalists, raised in an era of rigid, independent journalism, are increasingly at odds with the current editorial direction. This generational and ideological divide weakens the paper’s coherence and undermines its reputation as a "reference."

In conclusion, the article argues that Le Monde is in the midst of a deep crisis, both in terms of its editorial direction and its role in the French media landscape. Far from being the respected institution it once was, it is now seen as an increasingly partisan outlet, with questionable methods and inevitable decline, lost in an ideological struggle that has driven the elites away from its pages.