French publisher takes over Le Nouvelliste
The Swiss holding company of French publisher Philippe Hersant has acquired from Rhône Média the majority stake in the French-language Valais daily newspaper *Le Nouvelliste*. According to the agreement signed between Rhône Média and the French publishing house, the newspaper’s current editorial direction will continue.
The French publishing house already publishes the Neuchâtel daily newspapers L'Express and L'Impartial and the Vaud regional newspaper La Côte in Switzerland. The new owner hopes to achieve synergies from the purchase of the Valais newspaper. This was announced by the French publisher in a communiqué sent out on Tuesday.
Jacques Lathion, who previously held more than 75 percent of Rhône Média, said he was convinced that the paper would retain its independence as well as its position among readers and in the advertising market. Philippe Hersant, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the EHS Group, announced in a press release that he was convinced that the acquisition of Nouvelliste would enable his publishing house to strengthen its position in the media landscape.
The Le Nouvelliste journalists' association also expressed its satisfaction with the decision. This ends a period of rumors and uncertainty, said Olivier Hugon on Tuesday at the request of SDA. Securing jobs and continuing the current working conditions are also in the interests of the new owners.
Philippe Hersant will take a seat on the boards of directors of Editions Le Nouvelliste and Rhône Média at the general meetings on Wednesday. Publigroupe, already a partner of ESH in the Neuchâtel newspapers, is also involved in Valais with a minority holding of 7.5 percent.
www.sda.ch
Jacques Lathion, who previously held more than 75 percent of Rhône Média, said he was convinced that the paper would retain its independence as well as its position among readers and in the advertising market. Philippe Hersant, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the EHS Group, announced in a press release that he was convinced that the acquisition of Nouvelliste would enable his publishing house to strengthen its position in the media landscape.
The Le Nouvelliste journalists' association also expressed its satisfaction with the decision. This ends a period of rumors and uncertainty, said Olivier Hugon on Tuesday at the request of SDA. Securing jobs and continuing the current working conditions are also in the interests of the new owners.
Philippe Hersant will take a seat on the boards of directors of Editions Le Nouvelliste and Rhône Média at the general meetings on Wednesday. Publigroupe, already a partner of ESH in the Neuchâtel newspapers, is also involved in Valais with a minority holding of 7.5 percent.
www.sda.ch
