Story no.196OngoingPolitics +1NotableParis +229 Oct → 13 Nov97 facts · 305 art.
Petition against CNews: dismissal by the Assembly and reactions
The petition calling for the closure of CNews, which had surpassed one million signatures, was dismissed by the Cultural Affairs Committee of the National Assembly. This dismissal sparked mixed reactions: several right-wing figures, including Bruno Retailleau and Jordan Bardella, welcomed it in the name of freedom of expression, while Lucas Massoni, the petition's author, regretted the lack of debate. The Student Union and the High School Students' Union called for a boycott of the channel, and SOS Racisme denounced its danger. On the sidelines of the debates, LFI MP Sarah Legrain placed her hand on the microphone of a CNews journalist at the Assembly, a gesture denounced by the channel. The President of the Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, was also pressed to submit the petition to MPs.
In brief
Ongoing story bringing together 97 events nationwide, followed from 29 October 2026 to 13 November 2026. 305 articles from 48 sources (politics, society); last updated on 13 November 2026 at 09:57.
263 articles of rated outlets · 42 unrated outside the bar · 48 sources (305 art.) · the three sides talk about it · outlets: left 11, centre 18, right 10
Angle comparison for the whole story
The three sides agree on the factual dismissal of the petition by the committee, but differ in interpretation: the left denounces a denial of debate in the face of one million signatures, the right welcomes a decision protecting freedom of expression and denounces a left-wing offensive, the center focuses on the voting procedures, precedents, and possible legislative follow-ups.
Left
Highlights the absence of debate despite more than one million signatures, denounces a 'burial' and contempt for signatories, cites the petition's author, calls for boycott by students and high schoolers, and demands a public debate or intervention by the Assembly President.
Centre
Focuses on the behind-the-scenes of the vote (who voted what, role of the LR rapporteur), on comparison with other petitions with high signature counts, on reactions (Raymond Domenech), and on the possible opening of a debate on an information law.
Right
Welcomes the rejection in the name of freedom of expression, recalls that the removal of a channel falls under Arcom, not Parliament, denounces a 'totalitarian temptation' or 'intellectual terrorism' by the left, and highlights reactions from right-wing officials welcoming the rejection and the gesture of an LFI MP towards a channel journalist.
Written by an AI from headlines and extracts only of all events in the story · 13 Nov, 03h45
Confirmed by several sources(5)
- 23
On November 10, 2026, the Cultural Affairs Committee of the National Assembly dismissed the petition calling for 'removing CNews from French broadcasting'.
23 independent sourcesrtl.fr, HuffPost France, franceinfo, LCP-Assemblée nationale, Ouest-France +28
- 21
The petition had gathered more than one million signatures before its examination.
21 independent sourcesSud Ouest, Nice-Matin, Politis, rtl.fr, franceinfo +24
- 10
The MPs refused a debate in the hemicycle on the petition and proposed a general debate on media freedom.
10 independent sourcesfranceinfo, LCP-Assemblée nationale, Le Dauphiné libéré, Le Bien Public, Le Progrès +8
- 8
The committee vote was 28 to 25.
8 independent sourcesBFMTV / RMC, Midi Libre, Sud Ouest, La Croix, L'Union +4
- 4
Alexandre Portier, committee chair, stated that 'we are not Arcom' and that some had confused Parliament with Arcom.
4 independent sourcesBFMTV / RMC, Nice-Matin, Midi Libre, La Dépêche du Midi, CNews
Sources disagree(3)
Number of signatures
- more than 500,000 signaturesaccording to Ouest-France
- more than one million signaturesaccording to Nice-Matin, Politis, rtl.fr, franceinfo, LCP-Assemblée nationale +19
Vote margin
- 28 votes to 25according to BFMTV / RMC, Midi Libre, Sud Ouest, La Croix, L'Union +4
- by a margin of five votesaccording to Le Dauphiné libéré, Le Bien Public, Le Progrès, L'Est Républicain
- by a margin of three votesaccording to Ouest-France
Date of vote
- Tuesday, November 10, 2026according to LCP-Assemblée nationale, Ouest-France, Midi Libre, Sud Ouest, Le Monde +6
- Tuesday, October 10according to La Croix
Single source so far(5)
- Catherine Pégard, Minister of Culture, calls not to 'sort journalists'. (according to Le Monde)
- LFI MP Sarah Legrain placed her hand on the microphone of a CNews journalist at the National Assembly. (according to CNews)
- The petition's author, Lucas Massoni, says he is not 'surprised' and regrets that the text does not lead to a debate. (according to HuffPost France)
- Several right-wing officials, including Bruno Retailleau and Jordan Bardella, welcome the rejection of the petition. (according to Le Journal du Dimanche)
Updates(10)
- 11 Nov, 11h12The petition had 1,066,880 signatures at 4:23 PM on November 10.
- 11 Nov, 01h10The MPs propose a general debate on media freedom.
- 11 Nov, 01h10The petition is closed to signatures after its dismissal.
- 11 Nov, 01h10The committee dismissed the petition 28 to 25 on November 10; no debate in the hemicycle will take place.
- 9 Nov, 12h06The Cultural Affairs Committee vote is announced for Tuesday, November 10.
- 9 Nov, 12h06The petition surpassed 800,000 signatures on November 5, more than 900,000 on November 6, and one million on November 8.
- 3 Nov, 22h26The Cultural Affairs Committee must vote on the opportunity to organize a debate.
- 3 Nov, 22h26The petition surpassed 750,000 then 760,000 signatures on November 3.
- 3 Nov, 17h28The bureau of the National Assembly's Cultural Affairs Committee meets on November 3 to examine the petition.
- 3 Nov, 17h28The petition surpassed 700,000 signatures on November 3, after 650,000 the previous evening.
AI cross-check of the headlines and extracts of 60 articles (38 outlets) · “confirmed” = reported by at least two independent outlets · 11 Nov, 14h42
Checked on the web(1)
- Not confirmed at this stage
Catherine Pégard, Minister of Culture, calls not to 'sort journalists'.
Sources: petitions.assemblee-nationale.fr(official), lcp.fr, cnews.fr, france24.com, lcp.fr
11 Nov, 11h12
Automatic web search, official sources first · “contradicted” only when an official source is cited
Context and reference points, separate from the story's news. Every item links to its source; updated on 10 Nov
Reference points
- In November 2026, only the petition against the Duplomb law had been debated in the hemicycle among petitions exceeding the 500,000 signature threshold. Wikipédia
Key terms
- Arcom
- French independent public authority responsible for guaranteeing freedom of communication and compliance with legal and regulatory obligations in the audiovisual and digital sectors. It allocates broadcast frequencies to radio and television stations, in return for compliance with a set of specifications. Wikipédia
- Convention TNT
- TNT is the French digital terrestrial television, launched on March 31, 2005 in metropolitan France. Arcom allocates broadcast frequencies to television stations in return for compliance with a set of specifications. Wikipédia · Wikipédia
- Commission des affaires culturelles
- The Cultural Affairs and Education Committee is one of the eight standing committees of the French National Assembly, created on July 1, 2009. Its responsibilities include notably communication and artistic and cultural activities. Wikipédia
- Classement d'une pétition
- A petition is referred to a committee, where a rapporteur MP proposes either to examine it or to dismiss it. Any dismissed petition is closed to signatures and no appeal is possible. Wikipédia
What happens next?
What usually happens in this kind of situation — without prejudging the outcome.
- As a rule, a petition exceeding the 500,000 signature threshold opens the possibility of a debate in public session, without this threshold guaranteeing the automatic organization of a debate, the Conference of Presidents retaining discretionary power to include or not the petition on the agenda. Wikipédia
Timeline
newest firstOutlets:LeftCentreRightUncategorised· badge = severity
- 20h46
Pétition contre CNews : Charlotte d'Ornellas rappelle que la suppression relève de l'Arcom
Sur CNews, la journaliste Charlotte d'Ornellas a estimé que la suppression d'une chaîne revient à l'Arcom et non à l'Assemblée nationale, dans le débat sur la pétition réclamant la fermeture de la chaîne.
CNewsRight
- 12h13
Tribune réclamant un débat public à l'Assemblée sur le maintien de CNews
Une tribune estime que la conférence des présidents de l'Assemblée devrait organiser un débat dans l'Hémicycle sur le maintien de la chaîne CNews, malgré les sanctions de l'Arcom.
Le MondeCentre-left
- 11h31
Une chronique dénonce la « tentation totalitaire » de la gauche dans les médias
Une tribune d'opinion publiée ce jeudi dénonce, en référence à Jean-François Revel, une « tentation totalitaire » de la gauche dans l'univers des médias, dans le contexte des offensives contre CNews et d'autres chaînes.
AtlanticoCentre-right
- 11h06
Pétition contre CNews : Braun-Pivet pressée de la soumettre aux députés
La commission des affaires culturelles a ignoré le million de signataires demandant la suppression de CNews. La présidente de l'Assemblée pourrait user de son pouvoir pour soumettre la pétition aux députés.
LibérationLeft
- 07h00
De LFI aux militants écologistes, la gauche à l'assaut de médias et de la liberté d'expression
Une trentaine de militants d'Alternatiba et d'ANV-COP21 ainsi que des élus de gauche multiplient les actions et critiques visant CNews, Relay ou encore Sonia Mabrouk.
Valeurs actuellesRight
In figures
Affected departments
National
Reported toll
Amounts cited630 000 euros · million de signatures · million · un million · plus d'un million
Highest number recorded in 10 article(s), automatically extracted: please check sources.
Further reading
Organisations cited
Places cited
Go up the thread
Events in the story
- Pétition contre CNews classée sans suite : SOS Racisme réagit13 Nov
- Pétition contre CNews : Charlotte d'Ornellas rappelle que la suppression relève de l'Arcom12 Nov
- Franz-Olivier Giesbert dénonce la pétition contre CNews12 Nov
- Que sont devenues les pétitions dépassant 500 000 signatures à l'Assemblée12 Nov
- Tribune réclamant un débat public à l'Assemblée sur le maintien de CNews12 Nov
- Une chronique dénonce la « tentation totalitaire » de la gauche dans les médias12 Nov
- Pétition contre CNews : Braun-Pivet pressée de la soumettre aux députés12 Nov
- De LFI aux militants écologistes, la gauche à l'assaut de médias et de la liberté d'expression12 Nov
- CNews : les députés classent la pétition réclamant la suppression de la chaîne11 Nov
- Pétition contre CNews : un sondage interroge les Français sur la fermeture de la chaîne11 Nov
Affected departments