Arcom issues a “warning” to CNews regarding pluralism on its channel, following a decision by the Council of State

The audiovisual regulator, Arcom, sent a letter on Wednesday July 31 “caution” to the CNews channel about pluralism on its airwaves in 2021. This “caution” is the culmination of a procedure lasting almost three years, and follows a decision taken in February by the Council of State, seized by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). “All that for this ?”the NGO reacted to this decision taken on Monday and made public on Wednesday, deploring the fact that Arcom had pronounced “one of the weakest possible sanctions”.

At the end of 2021, RSF asked the CSA (which has since become Arcom) to send a “formal notice” to CNews, accusing the latter of being an opinion channel. The regulator rejected this request in April 2022, and RSF referred the matter to the Council of State. In a decision dated February 13, 2024, the court ordered Arcom to “reexamine” RSF’s request, which resulted in this warning. The authority is now asking CNews “the greatest vigilance, in the future, with regard to respecting the requirement of pluralism of currents of thought and opinion”.

The Council of State also required Arcom to strengthen its control of pluralism on radio and television in general, by going beyond simply counting speaking time. In application of this decision, the authority announced new rules on July 18. To judge compliance with pluralism, the regulator will now take into account the variety of subjects discussed on air or the diversity of speakers.

As part of the procedure for renewing 15 DTT (digital terrestrial television) frequencies, Arcom accepted CNews’ application on July 24. Many left-wing politicians called for the channel not to be renewed, accusing it of promoting far-right ideas, which it denies.