French news channels under scrutiny

Continuous news channels in France are facing criticism for allegedly promoting violence or racist content, though they deny these claims. This comes as the country approaches a tense presidential election, with journalists increasingly subjected to harassment or attacks.

Regulator warns of biased reporting

On October 22, the audiovisual regulator Arcom urged television and radio stations to ensure a "rigorous and balanced" approach when covering demonstrations and violence, especially if such content could "cause fear" or "increase the risk of public disorder." This followed complaints about broadcasts featuring far-right figures like Eric Zemmour and controversial statements from commentators.

Racist attack sparks backlash

After a racist attack in the Yvelines region, the mayor of Trappes, Ali Rabeh, accused continuous news channels of giving a platform to racists. He emphasized the power of these channels, stating that they provide free airtime to individuals with racist views. Unions representing journalists at RMC-BFM have linked the rise of unashamed racism on air to direct societal consequences.

Defenses of media neutrality

BFMTV's head, Fabien Namias, defended the channel's commitment to pluralism, stating that nothing produced by BFMTV could be compared to discrimination or racism. He aims to "calm the debate" by featuring more non-political figures on air. Meanwhile, researchers question the very model of news channels, noting their tendency to repeat hypotheses until they become accepted as truths.

Critics highlight media influence

Semiotician Marie-France Chambat-Houillon and information scientist Jérémie Derhi argue that continuous news channels are more prone to social stereotypes and biases. They suggest that the "Overton window" has widened, normalizing previously unacceptable views. CNews, owned by Canal+ France, has faced protests and a petition calling for its removal, with its Paris headquarters targeted by demonstrators.