Story no.196OngoingPolitics +1NotableHérault29 Oct → 5 Nov35 facts · 116 art.
Petition against CNews: more than 850,000 signatures and parliamentary examination
Early November 2026, a petition calling for the suppression of CNews, launched after the Trappes attack, surpasses 500,000 then 750,000 signatures, while MPs must decide in committee on the opportunity to examine it. On November 4, LR MP Alexandre Portier is appointed rapporteur and the cultural affairs committee sets its examination for November 10, the petition then exceeding 850,000 signatures. Several elected officials and editorialists, including Prisca Thevenot and UDR MPs, denounce the initiative or call Arcom into question, while an ecologist senator questions the government in the Senate. On November 5, about twenty organizations call for the channel's closure and the petition's initiator says he wants to push Arcom to act.
In brief
Ongoing story bringing together 35 events nationwide, followed from 29 October 2026 to 5 November 2026. 116 articles from 39 sources (politics, society); last updated on 5 November 2026 at 09:00.
95 articles of rated outlets · 21 unrated outside the bar · 39 sources (116 art.) · the three sides talk about it · outlets: left 9, centre 16, right 6
Angle comparison for the whole story
All three sides cover the petition against CNews and the parliamentary examination, but with distinct angles: the left insists on associative mobilization and the channel's shortcomings, the center on procedure and the uncertain outcome of the text, the right on denouncing a censorship attempt and defending press freedom.
Left
Highlights the coordination of more than twenty organizations to obtain the channel's closure, described as far-right, as well as Arcom's formal notices and the referral to justice for Zemmour's remarks. Emphasizes the number of signatures and the petitioner's approach.
Centre
Focuses on parliamentary procedure (committee decision, possible debate), uncertainty over the petition's usefulness and the freedom of expression issue. Also relays the referral to Arcom and the channel's reactions.
Right
Presents the petition as an offensive against press freedom and a censorship temptation, cites elected officials and editorialists denouncing the approach, and highlights the right and center's opposition to a debate. Questions Arcom's impartiality.
Written by an AI from headlines and extracts only of all events in the story · 5 Nov, 08h26
Confirmed by several sources(7)
- 11
Arcom announces on November 3 that it is referring the matter to justice after 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 exceeded 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 deposited in June on the National Assembly website calls for « removing CNews from French audiovisual media ».
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 competent 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 exceeded 700,000 signatures.
3 independent sourcesPublic Sénat, franceinfo, CNews
- 3
The National Assembly's cultural affairs committee must meet on November 3 to examine the petition.
3 independent sourcesLCP-Assemblée nationale, Le Monde, Ouest-France
- 2
Culture Minister Catherine Pégard refers to Arcom the assessment of respect for principles.
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 CNews's closure. (according to Europe 1)
Updates(4)
- 3 Nov, 22h26The cultural affairs committee must vote on the opportunity to organize a debate.
- 3 Nov, 22h26The petition exceeded 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 exceeded 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 justice after 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 exceeded 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 platform, exceeded 500,000 signatures on July 19, opening the possibility of a public session debate; it was debated in the National Assembly on February 11, 2026. Wikipédia
Key terms
- Petition on the National Assembly website
- Online petition deposited on the National Assembly's digital platform; when it reaches 500,000 signatures from at least 30 departments or overseas collectivities, it opens the possibility of a public session debate. Wikipédia
- Arcom
- Independent French public authority responsible for guaranteeing freedom of communication and compliance with legal and regulatory obligations in the audiovisual and digital sectors; it grants broadcasting frequencies to radio and television in exchange for compliance with a set of specifications and ensures in particular journalistic ethics and pluralism. Wikipédia
- Cultural affairs committee
- Standing committee of the National Assembly competent notably for communication, artistic and cultural activities, education and research. Wikipédia
- Conventionality
- Review of the conformity of law with international treaties to which France is a party; it can only be carried out through an exception of unconventionality, in the context 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 general rule, a petition exceeding 500,000 signatures and originating from at least 30 departments or overseas collectivities can give rise to a public session debate in the National Assembly. Wikipédia
- The cultural affairs committee, competent for communication, can be seized to examine the follow-up to be given. Wikipédia
- Arcom, a regulatory authority, is responsible for ensuring compliance with the legal and regulatory obligations of audiovisual channels. Wikipédia
Timeline
newest firstOutlets:LeftCentreRightUncategorised· badge = severity
- 09h00
LatestLe 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
- 19h10
La pétition contre CNews dépasse 850 000 signatures
La pétition demandant la suppression de CNews de l'audiovisuel français a dépassé 850 000 signatures le 4 novembre, relançant le débat sur l'interdiction d'une chaîne.
franceinfoUncategorisedLe ParisienCentre
- 15h55
Pétition contre CNews : une sénatrice écologiste interpelle le gouvernement au Sénat
La sénatrice écologiste Antoinette Guhl a demandé au gouvernement d'agir pour que le racisme n'ait plus sa place sur les fréquences publiques, visant la chaîne CNews.
Public SénatUncategorised
- 12h43
Alloncle dénonce une offensive contre la liberté de la presse après les appels à fermer CNews
Le député UDR Charles Alloncle met en garde contre les appels à censurer CNews, après les déclarations de Thomas Portes et la pétition réclamant la disparition de la chaîne.
Le Journal du DimancheRight
- 12h33
Pétition contre CNews : Alexandre Portier nommé rapporteur, examen en commission le 10 novembre
Le député LR Alexandre Portier est nommé rapporteur de la pétition demandant la suppression de CNews, qui dépasse 820 000 signatures. La commission des affaires culturelles se prononcera le 10 novembre.
LCP-Assemblée nationaleUncategorisedHuffPost FranceCentre-left
- 10h45
Pascal Praud invite Alain Jakubowicz après ses critiques contre CNews
L'animateur de CNews Pascal Praud a invité l'avocat Alain Jakubowicz à venir sur son plateau après les critiques de ce dernier contre la chaîne. Un échange qui s'inscrit dans la polémique autour de CNews.
CNewsRight
- 09h11
Une tribune dénonce la pétition et l'offensive contre CNews
Une tribune critique la pétition réclamant la disparition de CNews et les velléités de l'Assemblée d'examiner son interdiction, y voyant une tentation de censure.
AtlanticoCentre-right
- 08h48
Franz-Olivier Giesbert dénonce la pétition contre CNews
Le journaliste et écrivain Franz-Olivier Giesbert a qualifié de « dégoûtante » la pétition réclamant l'interdiction de CNews.
CNewsRight
- 08h14
Un éditorialiste dénonce la pétition pour l'interdiction de CNews
Le journaliste politique Thomas Bonnet estime que la pétition pour interdire CNews traduit une « vision totalitaire » de la gauche.
CNewsRight
In figures
Further reading
People cited
Organisations cited
Places cited
Go up the thread
Events in the story
- Le lanceur de la pétition contre CNews veut pousser l'Arcom à agir5 Nov
- Robert Ménard juge « dictatorial » la pétition pour la fermeture de CNews5 Nov
- Plus de vingt organisations appellent à la fermeture de CNews5 Nov
- La pétition contre CNews dépasse 850 000 signatures4 Nov
- Jérôme Guedj criticized for describing CNews's line as 'respectable'4 Nov
- Pétition contre CNews : Alexandre Portier nommé rapporteur, examen en commission le 10 novembre4 Nov
- Pétition contre CNews : une sénatrice écologiste interpelle le gouvernement au Sénat4 Nov
- Pétition contre CNews : plus de 700 000 signatures, questions sur une fermeture4 Nov
- Alloncle dénonce une offensive contre la liberté de la presse après les appels à fermer CNews4 Nov
- Le député Jérémie Patrier-Leitus défend CNews face aux appels à sa fermeture4 Nov
Affected departments