Arcom Imposes €50,000 Fine on CNews for Controversial Comments by Geoffroy Lejeune
Arcom has slapped a fine of €50,000 on the CNews channel following controversial comments by journalist Geoffroy Lejeune, who attributed anti-Semitism and prison overpopulation to 'Arab-Muslim immigration'. Arcom, the French audiovisual regulator, declared these comments as perpetuating negative stereotypes and attributing serious actions to an entire population group.
The regulator argued that such comments could potentially incite discriminatory behavior towards this population group due to their origin and religion. CNews, along with another channel C8, both owned by conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré and part of the Canal+ group, have been frequently reprimanded by Arcom for similar incidents.
The new sanction is in response to a segment of the program 'L’Heure des Pros 2', which aired on September 28, 2023. Lejeune, who is also the director of Journal du Dimanche (JDD), made the remarks while addressing a survey about anti-Semitism in French universities. He also connected 'Arab-Muslim immigration' to issues such as drug trafficking and the wearing of the abaya.
Arcom criticized the lack of immediate reaction from other individuals present during the broadcast. CNews' and C8's attempts to renew their digital terrestrial television (DTT) frequencies are currently under review. The parliamentary commission of inquiry into DTT frequencies has already sparked significant debate regarding these channels.
In a mid-May report, LFI deputy Aurélien Saintoul expressed doubt over the possibility of renewing their broadcasting authorizations. Despite this, Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada defended the channels, emphasizing their role in promoting media pluralism and public engagement, making their potential non-renewal difficult to envision.
- The controversy surrounding Arcom's sanction against CNews is not the first of its kind. Both CNews and C8 have a history of facing fines and reprimands from regulatory bodies due to controversial statements and content aired during their programs.
- Vincent Bolloré, the conservative billionaire behind Canal+, is known for his influence on French media and his conservative leanings. His ownership of multiple media outlets, including CNews, C8, and JDD, has often placed these platforms under scrutiny for their editorial content and the viewpoints they promote.
- Public opinion remains divided on the issue, with some praising Arcom's decision as a necessary step to curb hate speech, while others view it as an infringement on freedom of expression.
