This study examines in more detail the relationship between exposure to specific information media and the evolution of political knowledge in France. Previous studies have been conducted in the United States and have demonstrated that citizens acquire their political knowledge more from reading newspapers than from watching television. However, unlike the United States, France has a strong public audiovisual system. This article aims to determine whether the results would be the same in France. It sheds new light on political knowledge regarding the use of French news media. Drawing on the study of voters in the 2009 European Parliament elections, it examines the ability of the news media to provide political information to the public and analyzes its relationship with political knowledge. The difference between public and commercial channels in the provision of policy knowledge is examined. Although the literature is divided, results indicate that the use of broadsheet newspapers and television news is positively related to political knowledge. Public service broadcasting leads to a higher level of political knowledge than commercial service. Keywords: Television use; use of newspapers; public service broadcasting; political knowledge.IntroductionAccording to Jerit, Barabas and Bolsen (2006), “in a democracy, knowledge is power”. Indeed, political knowledge is a prerequisite for ensuring quality citizenship in a healthy democracy (De Vreese, Claes & Boomgaarden, 2006). Similarly, Berelson (1952) defines the ideal democratic citizen as “well-informed about political affairs.” To be an active citizen, it is necessary to be informed and educated in political matters (Le Hay et al., 2011). Indeed, information leads to...... middle of paper ......culture? Communications', The European Journal of Communication 23: 527–543. Schuck, A. (perdieu.eu)Van Biezen, I., Mair, P. and Poguntke, T. (2012). You're leaving, you're leaving,... are you leaving? The decline of party membership in contemporary Europe. European Journal of Political Research, 51(1), 24-56. Van Egmond, MH, Sapir, EV, Van Der Brug, W., Hobolt, SB and Franklin, MN (2010) EES 2009 Voter Study Advance Release Notes. Amsterdam: University of AmsterdamVerba, S., Burns, N. and Schlozman, KL (1997) “Knowing and caring about politics: gender and political engagement”, Journal of Politics 59: 1051-1072.Whiteley, PF (2011 ). Is the party over? The decline of activism and party membership in the democratic world. Party politics, 17(1), 21-44.