A franchisee from the NRJ group relays calls from the Russian army in occupied Ukrainian territory – Liberation
The NRJ group is a big machine. In France, no less than four radios (NRJ, darling FM, Nostalgia and Laugh & Songs) and two television channels (Chérie 25, NRJ Hits and Until very recently NRJ 12) are grouped within the same house. It also extends internationally, with an establishment in 16 countries, can we read on its website. So there are radios that emit under a « Brand license contract » in Bulgaria, Egypt or Cyprus. And even, for a few years, in Russia.
In early 2021, NRJ authorized Gazprom-Media Holding, a huge group that has no less than 38 television channels and a dozen radios in Russia, to use its brand. Amount of operations, according to the Russian independent media The Insider : 1.25 million euros for a contract which runs until December 31, 2025. Already criticized before the start of the war in Ukraine, Gazprom-Media Holding has since become a group « Who shares anti-Ukrainian propaganda and justifies Russian aggression in Ukraine »explained the European Council in December 2024.
NRJ radio in Russia follows the same editorial line. Worse, it even started to issue Donetsk in early 2024, Ukrainian territory annexed by Russia two years ago. Since then, the inhabitants of Donetsk can hear, between songs from Lady Gaga or Selena Gomez, advertisements calling for enlisting in the Russian army. The announcements are followed by a website or a number to call to register in the army, explains The Insider, which describes the station as « A mix of international pop and propaganda ».
The situation is all the more surprising in 2023, in An annual reportthe NRJ group was pleased to have participated, via its Laugh & Song antenna, in an evening at the Casino in Paris « In favor of the Doc4ukraine association which helps hospitals by providing them with equipment and medicines ».
Contacted by Releasethe NRJ group claims to have « Discovered with amazement » in the article of The Insider that a radio using its brand emitted to Donetsk and propagated Russian propaganda. A situation that the group « Condemns with the greatest firmness ». NRJ explains that the contract had been signed before « The start of the conflict in Ukraine » and that he « Do not allow any exploitation on the Donetsk territory »since the region belongs to Ukraine. Moreover, « The contract prohibits the dissemination of any message of a political nature »continues the group.
The company therefore promises to end this contract quickly. « The procedures are taken today »promises the NRJ group, which also declares to have « Ceased to receive any regulations in execution of this contract » Since the start of the war in Ukraine.
