Arcom has fined CNews €200,000 for on-air remarks that targeted Muslims and descendants of immigrants, tied to two 2025 broadcasts about post-match violence after PSG’s Champions League win and a Belgian politician’s head covering. One panellist blamed “children of Arab-Muslim immigrants” for rioting, and another referenced the extremist "Great Replacement" theory. CNews says it will appeal; the channel’s ownership and past Arcom warnings on pluralism have heightened scrutiny of its coverage.
Arcom Fines CNews €200,000 Over Anti-Muslim Remarks and ‘Great Replacement’ Claims
The logo of CNEWS is displayed on a microphone as journalists work at the Paris courthouse in Paris, France, April 29, 2026. Picture taken with a long exposure. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
France’s media regulator Arcom has fined the rolling news channel CNews €200,000 for broadcast comments targeting people who are Muslim and the descendants of immigrants, the regulator said on Wednesday.
The sanction relates to two CNews segments that aired in 2025: one discussing violence following Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League final victory, and another about a Belgian elected representative who wore a head covering.
“They vandalize, they loot, they steal, they assault people, they set fires. ... Most of them are children of Arab-Muslim immigrants. ... They hate France and the French,”
A panelist made those remarks during one programme. In a separate segment, a commentator suggested the representative’s dress and conduct were symptomatic of a so-called "Great Replacement" aimed at driving native French people out of the country.
What the 'Great Replacement' Means
The "Great Replacement" theory—promulgated by some white supremacist groups—claims that left-wing and Jewish elites are orchestrating the demographic and cultural displacement of white populations by non-white immigrants, a narrative critics say fuels xenophobia and violence.
CNews Response and Ownership
A CNews spokesperson said the channel will appeal Arcom’s decision. CNews is part of the media holdings of billionaire Vincent Bolloré; critics contend some outlets in his network have amplified right-wing narratives about immigration and crime, while Bolloré argues these topics reflect audience interest and are undercovered elsewhere.
Regulatory Context
In June, Arcom ordered CNews to comply with rules on pluralism and diversity of opinion, a move that placed the channel one step from formal disciplinary action. CNews said at the time it intended to challenge that order in court.
Reporting: Makini Brice; Editing: Daniel Wallis.
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