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Portrait of David Pujadas

Photo: Coccico2345 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in Spain · Nationality French — Culture / media / celebrities

David Pujadas

Media and journalism

Documented profile covering 8 controversies, including “'Wow, brilliant!' on seeing first images of 9/11, followed by apology” and “Incorrect announcement of Alain Juppé's retirement: CSA formal warning and temporary removal from air”.

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Profile No. 1077 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of David Pujadas

Photo: Coccico2345 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
8Documented controversies
12Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

2024

Controversy over refusal to label RN directly as 'far right'

No legal proceedings

Appearing on 'Quotidien' in June 2024, David Pujadas explained that he no longer directly used the term 'far right' to describe Rassemblement national, preferring 'what is called the far right'. Several journalists criticised his remarks.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    HuffPostLégislatives 2024 : ces propos de David Pujadas et Apolline de Malherbe sur les partis « extrêmes » ne passent pasMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 7 September 2026

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02

2017

Removal from France 2's 8 p.m. news after sixteen years, methods criticised internally

No legal proceedings

In May 2017, David Pujadas learned that he would be replaced as presenter of France 2's '20 heures' after sixteen years. The decision, made while audiences remained strong, shocked the newsroom and prompted criticism from Élise Lucet over the methods used.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Le ParisienFrance 2 : Elise Lucet critique la manière dont David Pujadas a été évincéMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Le ParisienDavid Pujadas quitte le 20H : à l'antenne, il aura tout faitMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 7 September 2026

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03

2016

CSA reminder over insufficiently accurate presentation of 'Des paroles et des actes' guest

Civil / administrative proceedings

During a January 2016 programme involving Alain Finkielkraut and Wiam Berhouma, David Pujadas had presented the latter as not belonging to a political party without adequately mentioning her activism. CSA asked France Télévisions to ensure accuracy in presenting participants in future.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Puremédias« Des paroles et des actes » : David Pujadas épinglé par le CSAMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    TéléramaLe CSA vole au secours d’Alain Finkielkraut : un exemple à suivreMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 7 September 2026

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04

2015

'Des paroles et des actes' fiasco following Marine Le Pen's cancellation

No legal proceedings

In October 2015, France 2 changed the format of a 'Des paroles et des actes' programme featuring Marine Le Pen at a late stage, following political and internal pressure over her media exposure. The candidate denounced a 'charade' and cancelled her appearance three hours before transmission, prompting France 2 to cancel the programme.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Le Monde« Des paroles et des actes » et Marine Le Pen : la semaine qui a conduit au fiascoMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Le MondeEn annulant « Des paroles et des actes », Marine Le Pen montre sa maîtrise de l’outil médiatiqueMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 7 September 2026

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05

2015

Controversy after using expression 'We are not autistic'

No legal proceedings

Commenting on the controversy surrounding the cancelled Marine Le Pen programme, David Pujadas said that his newsroom had listened to CSA recommendations, adding 'We are not autistic'. SOS Autisme France condemned the use of the word as a synonym for deafness or impairment.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    La Dépêche« Nous ne sommes pas des autistes » : David Pujadas fait polémiqueMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 7 September 2026

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06

2014

Criticism of framing of 'Des paroles et des actes' debate around Marine Le Pen

No legal proceedings

During a 'Des paroles et des actes' debate devoted to the 2014 European elections, media observers criticised David Pujadas for opening the group discussion with Schengen and immigration, subjects particularly favourable to Marine Le Pen's political agenda.

State of the evidence
Reported by the press
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Acrimed« Des paroles et des actes » sur les européennes : Pujadas tend la perche à Marine Le PenPressMedium reliability

Last verified: 7 September 2026

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07

2004

Incorrect announcement of Alain Juppé's retirement: CSA formal warning and temporary removal from air

Civil / administrative proceedings

On 3 February 2004, France 2's '20 heures' announced that Alain Juppé was leaving politics, although he was simultaneously stating on TF1 that he would retain certain offices. Pujadas apologised. CSA formally warned France 2, and Pujadas was taken off air for two weeks.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Le MondeTélévision : L'annonce de la mort de Juppé a été grandement exagéréeMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Le ParisienDavid Pujadas : « Je n'ai pas le droit à l'erreur »MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 7 September 2026

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08

2001

'Wow, brilliant!' on seeing first images of 9/11, followed by apology

No legal proceedings

A few days after starting as presenter of France 2's '20 heures', David Pujadas was filmed in the newsroom reacting to the first footage of the 11 September 2001 attacks with 'Wow, brilliant!'. Broadcasting the clip caused a scandal.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Le ParisienDavid Pujadas quitte le 20H : à l'antenne, il aura tout faitMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Le FigaroSix moments forts de David Pujadas au 20 heures de France 2MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 7 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (5)
  1. Marine Le Pen3 documented references
  2. Alain Finkielkraut1 documented reference
  3. Alain Juppé1 documented reference
  4. Raphaël Glucksmann1 documented reference
  5. Sandrine Rousseau1 documented reference

III. Has something changed?

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