Story no.196OngoingPolitics +1NotableParis +129 Oct → 6 Nov46 facts · 131 art.
Petition against CNews: over 850,000 signatures and strong reactions
On November 4, 2026, a Green senator questions the government in the Senate so that racism no longer has a place on public airwaves, targeting CNews, while the petition calling for the channel's removal surpasses 850,000 signatures. The next day, more than twenty organizations call for its closure and the petition's initiator says they want to push Arcom to act, as a debate in the National Assembly looms. The same day, supporters of the channel denounce a "dictatorial" approach or a "muzzling offensive", while critics argue that Arcom should have sanctioned CNews more firmly. Protesters eject CNews crews from a high school mobilization in Paris and anti-CNews signs appear in the November 5 processions. On November 6, a count shows that Aurore Bergé, tasked with combating discrimination, is the minister most present on CNews.
In brief
Ongoing story bringing together 46 events nationwide, followed from 29 October 2026 to 6 November 2026. 131 articles from 39 sources (politics, society); last updated on 6 November 2026 at 10:48.
110 articles of rated outlets · 21 unrated outside the bar · 39 sources (131 art.) · the three sides talk about it · outlets: left 9, centre 16, right 7
Angle comparison for the whole story
The left highlights the petition's motivations (fight against racism and disinformation) and Arcom's responsibility, while the right denounces an attack on freedom of expression and a political offensive, the center questioning the institutional outcome and Éric Zemmour's remarks.
Left
The left emphasizes the massive nature of the petition (nearly 900,000 signatures), denounces CNews's racist content and false information, and calls on Arcom to act more firmly, while relaying the mobilizations and criticism against the channel.
Centre
The center focuses on procedural aspects (debate in the National Assembly, Arcom's role) and on Éric Zemmour's remarks that led to a referral to the judiciary, while questioning the petition's effectiveness.
Right
The right highlights criticism of the petition, described as "dictatorial" or a "muzzling offensive", and denounces an attack on press freedom, citing figures such as Robert Ménard, Charles Alloncle, or Pascal Praud.
Written by an AI from headlines and extracts only of all events in the story · 6 Nov, 11h13
Confirmed by several sources(7)
- 11
Arcom announces on November 3 that it is referring the matter to the judiciary following remarks by Éric Zemmour made on October 18 on LCI, BFMTV, and CNews.
11 independent sourcesSud Ouest, Le Parisien, Le Monde, HuffPost France, Le Dauphiné libéré +7
- 9
The petition surpassed 500,000 signatures on Monday, November 2, the threshold opening the way to a possible debate in the hemicycle.
9 independent sourcesFrance 24, Paris-Normandie, La Dépêche du Midi, L'Obs, BFMTV / RMC +7
- 7
A petition filed in June on the National Assembly's website calls for 'removing CNews from French broadcasting'.
7 independent sourcesLa Dépêche du Midi, L'Obs, Ouest-France, L'Union, 20 Minutes +3
- 3
According to the Assembly's rules, a debate requires the relevant committee to decide to examine the text and present a report.
3 independent sourcesBFMTV / RMC, Le Monde, LCP-Assemblée nationale
- 3
On November 3, the petition surpassed 700,000 signatures.
3 independent sourcesPublic Sénat, franceinfo, CNews
- 3
The National Assembly's Cultural Affairs Committee is due to meet on November 3 to examine the petition.
3 independent sourcesLCP-Assemblée nationale, Le Monde, Ouest-France
- 2
Culture Minister Catherine Pégard refers the assessment of respect for principles to Arcom.
2 independent sourcesCNews, HuffPost France
Sources disagree(1)
Date of the racist attack in Trappes
- October 23according to Reporterre
- October 24according to La Croix
Single source so far(3)
- A petition in support of CNews has been launched. (according to Boulevard Voltaire)
- Horizons MP Jérémie Patrier-Leitus defends CNews and denounces calls for its closure. (according to Le Journal du Dimanche)
- LFI MP Thomas Portes demands the closure of CNews. (according to Europe 1)
Updates(4)
- 3 Nov, 22h26The Cultural Affairs Committee must vote on the opportunity to hold 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 (31 outlets) · “confirmed” = reported by at least two independent outlets · 3 Nov, 22h26
Checked on the web(3)
- Not confirmed at this stage
Arcom announces on November 3 that it is referring the matter to the judiciary following remarks by Éric Zemmour made on October 18 on LCI, BFMTV, and CNews.
Sources: arcom.fr(official), lcp.fr, lemonde.fr, lemonde.fr, radiofrance.fr
4 Nov, 14h23
- Confirmed
The petition surpassed 500,000 signatures on Monday, November 2, the threshold opening the way to a possible debate in the hemicycle.
Sources: petitions.assemblee-nationale.fr(official), petitions.assemblee-nationale.fr(official), lemonde.fr, france24.com, lcp.fr
3 Nov, 22h28
- Not confirmed at this stage
A petition in support of CNews has been launched.
Sources: arcom.fr(official), lcp.fr, lemonde.fr, radiofrance.fr, lemonde.fr
4 Nov, 14h23
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 3 Nov
Reference points
- The petition against the Duplomb law, published on July 10, 2025 on the National Assembly's platform, surpassed 500,000 signatures on July 19, opening the possibility of a debate in public session; it was debated in the National Assembly on February 11, 2026. Wikipédia
Key terms
- Petition on the National Assembly's website
- Online petition filed on the National Assembly's digital platform; when it reaches 500,000 signatures from at least 30 departments or overseas territories, it opens the possibility of a debate in public session. Wikipédia
- Arcom
- French independent public authority tasked with 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 exchange for compliance with a set of specifications and notably oversees journalistic ethics and pluralism. Wikipédia
- Cultural Affairs Committee
- Standing committee of the National Assembly responsible notably for communication, artistic and cultural activities, education, and research. Wikipédia
- Conventionality
- Control of the law's conformity with international treaties to which France is a party; it can only be carried out through an exception of unconventionality, on the occasion of a dispute, and in case of unconventionality, the judge does not repeal the law but does not apply it to the dispute. Wikipédia
What happens next?
What usually happens in this kind of situation — without prejudging the outcome.
- As a rule, a petition that has exceeded 500,000 signatures and originates from at least 30 departments or overseas territories may give rise to a debate in public session in the National Assembly. Wikipédia
- The Cultural Affairs Committee, competent for communication, may be seized to examine the follow-up. Wikipédia
- Arcom, the regulatory authority, is tasked with ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory obligations of audiovisual channels. Wikipédia
Timeline
newest firstOutlets:LeftCentreRightUncategorised· badge = severity
- 10h48
LatestCNews : des bars diffusant la chaîne dans le viseur de l'extrême gauche
Une campagne contre l'empire médiatique de Vincent Bolloré appelle à dix jours d'actions du 4 au 13 décembre, ciblant notamment les bars et brasseries qui diffusent CNews.
Le Journal du DimancheRight
- 07h52
Aurore Bergé, ministre la plus présente sur CNews malgré sa mission anti-discriminations
Selon un décompte, Aurore Bergé, chargée de la lutte contre les discriminations, est la ministre qui intervient le plus souvent sur CNews, sans jamais y combattre l'idéologie de la chaîne.
MediapartLeft
- 21h27
Manifestation du 5 novembre : les pancartes anti-CNews côtoient les revendications sociales
Dans les cortèges du 5 novembre, les pancartes réclamant la fermeture de CNews se multiplient depuis l'attentat de Trappes, mêlées aux revendications sociales.
L'HumanitéLeft
- 19h00
Après CNews, LFI élargit sa croisade médiatique
La députée LFI Sarah Legrain indique que les ambitions des Insoumis en matière de médias dépassent le seul sort des chaînes de Vincent Bolloré. Le mouvement élargit son offensive au-delà du dossier CNews.
Boulevard VoltaireFar right
- 17h30
Pétition contre CNews : Alexandre Portier dénonce une « offensive de muselage » de LFI
Le rapporteur Alexandre Portier réagit à la pétition réclamant la fermeture de CNews, accusant La France insoumise de vouloir museler les avis contraires. Le débat se poursuit avant l'examen en commission.
Le FigaroCentre-right
- 16h04
Pétition contre CNews : vives controverses sur les intentions des défenseurs de la chaîne
Plusieurs médias analysent les arguments des défenseurs de CNews face à la pétition réclamant sa fermeture, qui dépasse plusieurs centaines de milliers de signatures et interroge sur le rôle de l'Arcom.
HuffPost FranceCentre-left
- 15h36
Tribune d'un avocat appelant l'Arcom à sanctionner plus fermement CNews
Dans une tribune, l'avocat Alexandre Lazarègue estime que CNews présente de façon répétée les étrangers et les musulmans comme une menace et que l'Arcom doit agir plus fermement.
LibérationLeft
- 13h32
Paris : des manifestants expulsent les équipes de CNews d'une mobilisation lycéenne
Rue de Rivoli à Paris, des manifestants ont expulsé les équipes de CNews en marge d'une mobilisation lycéenne, en référence à l'attentat raciste de Trappes.
L'HumanitéLeft
- 13h22
CNews comparée à Radio Mille-Collines sur le plateau de T18
L'avocat Arié Alimi, membre de la LDH, a établi un parallèle entre CNews et la radio rwandaise des Mille-Collines sur le plateau de T18, relançant la polémique autour de la chaîne.
Le Journal du DimancheRight
- 13h15
Un commerçant juge « intolérable » de vouloir fermer CNews
Un commerçant estime au micro de CNEWS que la fermeture de la chaîne serait contraire à la liberté et à la tolérance, dans le contexte de la pétition réclamant sa fermeture.
CNewsRight
- 11h07
Pétition contre CNews : un historien des médias estime que la chaîne aurait dû perdre sa fréquence
Alors que la pétition contre CNews dépasse 800 000 signatures, l'historien des médias Alexis Lévrier juge que l'Arcom a manqué son rendez-vous en n'arrêtant que C8 en 2025.
L'ObsCentre-left
- 09h00
Le lanceur de la pétition contre CNews veut pousser l'Arcom à agir
Lucas Massoni, initiateur de la pétition pour la suppression de CNews, revient sur le succès de l'initiative, qui approche 900 000 signatures et ouvre la voie à un débat à l'Assemblée nationale.
L'HumanitéLeft
- 08h29
Robert Ménard juge « dictatorial » la pétition pour la fermeture de CNews
Le maire divers droite de Béziers, Robert Ménard, a fustigé sur CNews la pétition demandant la fermeture de la chaîne, la qualifiant de « digne d'un régime dictatorial ».
CNewsRight
- 07h43
Plus de vingt organisations appellent à la fermeture de CNews
Une vingtaine d'organisations se coordonnent pour réclamer la fermeture de la chaîne CNews, dans le prolongement de la pétition citoyenne.
Contre-attaqueFar left
In figures
Further reading
People cited
Organisations cited
Places cited
Go up the thread
Events in the story
- CNews : des bars diffusant la chaîne dans le viseur de l'extrême gauche6 Nov
- Aurore Bergé, ministre la plus présente sur CNews malgré sa mission anti-discriminations6 Nov
- La pétition contre CNews dépasse 850 000 signatures6 Nov
- Manifestation du 5 novembre : les pancartes anti-CNews côtoient les revendications sociales5 Nov
- Après CNews, LFI élargit sa croisade médiatique5 Nov
- Pétition contre CNews : Alexandre Portier dénonce une « offensive de muselage » de LFI5 Nov
- Pétition contre CNews : vives controverses sur les intentions des défenseurs de la chaîne5 Nov
- Tribune d'un avocat appelant l'Arcom à sanctionner plus fermement CNews5 Nov
- Paris : des manifestants expulsent les équipes de CNews d'une mobilisation lycéenne5 Nov
- CNews comparée à Radio Mille-Collines sur le plateau de T185 Nov
Affected departments