The scheduled hearing for the shareholders of Mediawan, including prominent figures Xavier Niel, Matthieu Pigasse, and Jérôme Nommé, was unexpectedly canceled when Xavier Niel informed the commission on the day of the hearing that he was unable to attend due to an urgent and unavoidable circumstance. Jérémie Patrier-Leitus, the president of the public audiovisual investigation committee, expressed disappointment and irritation during the opening of the session, noting that any individual deemed important enough by the committee should be present to provide their testimony.

The cancellation of this hearing has implications for the ongoing investigation into the operations and accountability of public audiovisual entities in France. The committee had intended to gather insights from key shareholders about their role in shaping Mediawan's influence and operations. This absence raises questions about the transparency and commitment of stakeholders in ensuring responsible governance within the public media sector.

Given the critical focus on governance in public audiovisual media, the incident underscores the challenges faced by oversight bodies in compelling participation from influential industry leaders. The committee’s efforts to probe the intentions and actions of Mediawan's shareholders may be hampered if such last-minute cancellations continue, potentially impacting the quality and depth of the inquiry into public audiovisual regulation in France.