French regulator fines CNews €100,000 over broadcasts targeting Muslims, Algerians
Media watchdog says segments encouraged discrimination by portraying Algerians as security threat
PARIS, France (MNTV) — France’s media regulator has fined conservative television network CNews €100,000 over two broadcasts it ruled encouraged discrimination against Muslims and Algerians.
The penalties were issued by Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique (Arcom) following segments aired in 2025 on the channel’s talk show L’heure des pros.
According to Arcom, one episode portrayed the presence of Algerian nationals in France as a “major public safety risk.”
In another segment, the program was found to have collectively associated all Palestinians with the perpetrators of the October 7, 2023 attacks.
The regulator said both broadcasts violated French media laws prohibiting incitement to discrimination based on nationality or religion.
It concluded that the content “encouraged discriminatory behaviour” toward targeted communities.
Arcom also recalled that it had previously issued formal warnings to CNews over earlier programming deemed problematic.
The watchdog said it has now “strongly urged” the channel to ensure future content does not promote discriminatory attitudes.
CNews, often compared to Fox News in the United States for its conservative editorial line, has faced repeated criticism over its coverage of immigration, Islam, and issues involving Muslim-majority countries.
The channel had not publicly responded to the ruling at the time of publication.
France enforces strict regulations against hate speech in broadcast media, with authorities closely monitoring content related to immigration, national identity, and international conflicts.
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