French television regulator ARCOM is facing major criticism after it stripped a channel owned by a Marine Le Pen-supporting conservative of its broadcasting licence.
C8—owned by billionaire Vincent Bolloré, France’s 14th richest man, who The European Conservative’s Hélène de Lauzun recently described as “a figure disliked by the French Left”—has been omitted from a list of stations whose terrestrial licences are up for renewal.
ARCOM said its decision was based on “the interest of each project for the public with regard to the overriding imperative of pluralism of socio-cultural currents of expression.”
But Le Pen argued that the move proved the opposite—that “for those in power, pluralism is unbearable.”
So, little by little, they will try to make it disappear so that all the channels and radio stations deliver the same message as the public broadcaster: a panel of all nuances of the left.
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, president of the right-wing Debout la France party and former deputy of the National Assembly, also said that “censorship is descending on France!”
By expelling C8 from TNT [terrestrial television] for the benefit of its political friends, the Macronist government is crushing the freedom of expression that is inseparable from true democracy. Today C8, tomorrow social networks…
Dupont-Aignan added that there is an “urgency for a collective reaction from political forces before it is too late.”
C8 airs (or, rather, aired) the popular and often controversial talk show “Touche pas à mon poste” (“Do not touch my position”; a play on “Touche pas à mon pote”—”Don’t touch my friend,” the official slogan of the anti-racism organisation SOS Racisme) fronted by “outspoken” presenter Cyril Hanouna. This racked up a record €3.5 million fine last year after Hanouna insulted a member of the hard-left La France Insoumise party. The wider channel has been accused of broadcasting “fake news” and “conspiracy theories.”
Britain’s right-wing insurgent news channel, GB News, said that the axing of C8 was “terrifying” for its own viewers.
GB News, which advocates for the right of every individual to form and share their views, has also been placed under scrutiny in the UK in the form of ad boycotts and presenters sometimes being verbally harassed while working.
CNews, which is also under the control of Bolloré, has kept hold of its broadcasting licence, although the authorities will continue to keep a close eye on this, too. It is understood that C8 will be able to appeal ARCOM’s decision to the state council.
