Bernard Arnault and LVMH, the power of media silence

"Silence is golden, especially when it comes to luxury." Bernard Arnault, head of LVMH, the global leader in the luxury sector, has reportedly imposed a formal ban on his executives from communicating with seven media outlets deemed undesirable, according to an email dated January 17th. This message, disseminated by La Lettre, mentions outlets such as Mediapart, Le Canard Enchaîné, and Puck (US), emphasizing Arnault's desire to protect the group's secrets from publications perceived as negative or sensationalist. By citing these media, he explicitly condemns any leaks of confidential information that do not go through the official communication channels established by LVMH.

In the same email, addressed to a handful of key executives, including his daughter Delphine Arnault, CEO of Christian Dior Couture, Arnault reminds that any communication regarding his family is strictly prohibited. He stresses that non-compliance with these rules would constitute a serious offense, synonymous with a breach of loyalty, an unforgivable crime in the eyes of the billionaire. The order is clear: all executives must adhere to these directives and pass them on to their respective teams, making sure to highlight the severe penalties for any transgression. As the owner of Le Parisien and Les Échos, Arnault finds himself in a unique position, where he controls not only the reins of the luxury industry but also sectors of the French press. This duality between imposed silence and controlled speech raises a crucial question: in a world where information flows freely, how far does the power of those who control it truly extend?