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CNews has been controversial for years, starting with the polemicist Eric Zemmour, who shifted from television to politics to promote his ideas nationally. The channel escalated its controversial scope with Pascal Praud, a former TF1 football presenter. Conversations on migrants, foreigners, and Muslims have become so normalized that they rarely raise eyebrows, except for organizations like Reporters Without Borders (RSF). RSF appealed to the Council of State, prompting a request for Arcom (Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication) to direct CNews back towards ethical journalism and pluralistic information. This issue was addressed in a Parliamentary Commission on Thursday, February 29.
Arcom’s president, Roch-Olivier Maistre, stated that the regulator is not a “thought police” or an opinion court. However, he warned CNews, owned by businessman Vincent Bolloré, that its license renewal in 2025 could be at risk if it doesn’t comply with standards. The Canal+ group’s management and CNews personalities, including Pascal Praud, Laurence Ferrari, and Sonia Mabrouk, were interviewed by deputies, with Bolloré expected to appear before the commission in mid-March.
The highest administrative jurisdiction highlighted that Arcom’s role isn’t just to monitor political speaking times for pluralism and guarantee the diversity of thought and opinion in programming. Canal+ Group CEO Maxime Saada voiced willingness to adapt to rule changes but criticized the notion of monitoring journalists and editors as unique to France.
Laurence Ferrari expressed respect for the Council of State’s decision but expressed concerns over the practical application of regulating speaking times and labelling. She suggested that CNews is being specifically targeted.
When interviewed about CNews’s identity as a news versus an opinion channel, Saada highlighted the channel’s substantial viewership, asserting it remains a news channel. Pascal Praud defended the significance of providing analysis and perspective beyond mere facts, arguing for a pluralistic exchange of ideas.
The responses from CNews’s key figures suggest a steadfast position amid societal shifts and political predictions favouring the far-right in upcoming elections. The constant tension between CNews, the Council of State, and Arcom reflects deeper societal questions and challenges, with the values of the Republic perceived as being at stake.
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