Radio-Télévision belge de la Communauté française

Radio‑Télévision belge de la Communauté française (RTBF) is the public service broadcaster responsible for serving the French‑speaking population of Belgium. It operates several television channels, including La Une, La Deux and La Trois, which broadcast news, entertainment, documentaries and cultural programming. In addition to television, RTBF runs a network of radio stations such as VivaCité, Classic 21 and Musiq3, offering music, talk and regional content. The organisation also provides online platforms through its website and mobile apps, delivering live streams, on‑demand video and podcasts. Its mandate includes informing, educating and entertaining the audience while promoting the French language and Belgian culture. RTBF’s services are available nationwide and are also accessible to Belgian expatriates via satellite and internet streaming.

As a public institution, RTBF is funded primarily by the Belgian federal government’s grant and the licence fee paid by households, and it operates under the oversight of the French Community of Belgium’s parliament. This public service remit distinguishes it from commercial broadcasters, imposing obligations to provide balanced news, diverse cultural content and accessibility for all citizens. RTBF is recognised for its role in preserving linguistic heritage and supporting local production, often commissioning works from Belgian creators. The organisation has faced cybersecurity challenges, notably a distributed denial‑of‑service attack in October 2016 claimed by the Syrian Cyber Army that disrupted several of its online services. Structurally, RTBF is not a privately owned company but a statutory body answerable to the French Community government, with no private shareholders or parent corporation. Its governance includes a board of directors appointed by the community’s legislative body, ensuring accountability to the public it serves.