CNews faces an unprecedented backlash as a parliamentary petition calls for the withdrawal of its terrestrial broadcast licence. The online appeal, lodged directly through the National Assembly’s official platform, has surged past 300,000 signatures in just weeks.
Petition targets alleged breaches of broadcasting rules
The petition, registered under number 5851, accuses the channel of operating as a propaganda machine rather than a neutral news service. Signatories argue that CNews has repeatedly violated its legal obligations tied to the exploitation of France’s finite public broadcasting spectrum.
Regulator’s harsh record against CNews
Data from the media regulator shows a pattern of non-compliance:
- 27 official warnings and reprimands;
- €630,000 in cumulative fines since 2019;
- Ranked as the most sanctioned French TV channel for incitement to hatred and breaches of political pluralism.
Terrestrial licence under threat
Critics insist that broadcast frequencies are a public trust, not an inalienable right. The argument echoes the regulator’s recent decision to revoke sister channel C8’s licence—setting a precedent in France’s audiovisual oversight.
Next steps: political pressure or legal action?
While petitions lack direct enforcement power, the National Assembly may intervene if the mobilisation reaches 500,000 signatures from at least 30 departments. This threshold could trigger an official debate in plenary session, reigniting national discussions on media accountability and freedom of information.
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