How the iPhone Revolutionized Field Journalism at M6: Discover the Impact!

In 2020, when M6 launched the segment “Au plus près de vous” during its 12:45 news broadcast, it wasn’t just introducing a new type of program with reduced technical and budgetary constraints. It also marked a gradual shift in the approach to television news production: the professional use of the iPhone as a primary filming device. Previously, iPhones were primarily used for live reporting or in the midst of action, but with this initiative, they started to be the main camera for new local news stories.

A Turning Point Amidst Chaos

The first time M6 used a smartphone as an on-field camera dates back to 2017 during an impromptu broadcast amidst Hurricane Irma on the island of Saint-Barthélemy. The network connection was sparse, but there was an urgent need for footage. The segment shot on an iPhone was sent via WeTransfer. Although the image quality was not perfect, the information was successfully conveyed. Nicolas Mallot, the director of development, special operations, and information transformation at M6, emphasized that technology facilitates information delivery. This incident proved that reporting was viable without heavy equipment or satellite transmission, and importantly, it was seen as credible. The editorial team realized that the iPhone could be a frontline tool in extreme conditions.

This revelation was not just a one-time event. In subsequent technical and editorial discussions, a new question arose: could the smartphone be more than just a backup solution? Could it serve as a strategic lever, an alternative camera during crises, a lightweight storytelling device that could overcome logistical and human barriers? This line of questioning became central in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic drastically changed professional practices.

The lockdowns that year heightened this awareness. Traditional filming methods became challenging or even impossible. Physical contact, traveling in groups, and the bulkiness of conventional equipment posed significant hurdles. “Approaching people with a camera had become very restrictive,” reported M6’s development department. With a smartphone, the approach was more straightforward and direct.

The network then envisioned a tour of France during the easing of lockdown restrictions: journalists working in pairs with just an iPhone in hand and the outside world as their backdrop. This was the beginning of the Mojo (mobile journalism) format, serving complete news segments. Journalists quickly adapted to working solo, learning how to frame shots, adjust sound, and edit footage themselves. The defining features of the daily segment now known as “Au plus près de vous” became clear.

A Segment Tailored for Smartphone Use