French Regulator Arcom Issues Formal Notice to CNews over Discriminatory Comments on Immigration and Islam

French audiovisual regulator Arcom has issued a formal notice to CNews, the top news channel in France for 2025, over broadcasts that contained comments inciting discrimination related to immigration and Islam. This regulatory action, published on December 30, targets two specific episodes aired in January and March.

On January 29, during the program "La Grande Interview," guest Marie-Hélène Thoraval, mayor of Romans-sur-Isère, linked knife attacks to cultural factors, asserting that the perpetrators were not "native French" and were associated with Islam. Arcom criticized the host Sonia Mabrouk for not adequately responding to these stigmatizing remarks, warning that such discourse could foster discriminatory behavior.

Further, on March 20's "Morandini Live," journalist Jordan Florentin described immigrants as "masses" unable to adapt to French cultural values, alluding to the controversial "great replacement" theory in France. Arcom condemned these statements for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and noted that presenter Jean-Marc Morandini did not sufficiently challenge Florentin’s assertions, at times siding with them.

While some rebuttals were offered during the shows, Arcom found them insufficient to counteract the discriminatory implications. The regulator’s decision highlights the risk these comments pose in promoting discrimination on grounds of nationality or origin.

CNews, owned by billionaire Vincent Bolloré, has risen sharply in viewership, now leading French news channels, having surpassed BFMTV. Despite being put on notice for these serious violations, CNews has not yet responded publicly to Arcom's decision.

Arcom's formal notice is part of its role in ensuring broadcasting compliance. Failure by CNews to adhere to regulatory standards could result in financial penalties. This case underscores ongoing tensions in French media over responsible coverage of sensitive social issues such as immigration and Islam, emphasizing the need to prevent discriminatory discourse that threatens social cohesion.