Politics · France · 37 mins ago
Petition to close CNews passes 500,000 signatures in France
A petition calling for CNews to be removed from French television passed 500,000 signatures on France’s National Assembly website on November 2.
Launched in June by a member of the public, it accuses the channel, which is part of Canal+ and controlled by Vincent Bolloré, of spreading discriminatory views and failing to represent a range of opinions.
The signature threshold can open the way to a parliamentary debate, but the Assembly’s relevant committee must first decide whether to examine the petition or dismiss it.
The petition gained support after a racist attack in Trappes and La Verrière, and some left-wing politicians accused CNews and other media of helping normalize hostile speech.
CNews has rejected accusations that it promotes far-right views and says it defends freedom of expression.
A debate would not itself close the channel; the audiovisual regulator, Arcom, has the power to withdraw its broadcast licence under conditions set by law.
Whether the Assembly will examine the petition and hold a debate remains undecided.
A petition calling for CNews to be removed from French broadcasting passed 500,000 signatures on the French National Assembly’s website on Monday, 2 November.
The threshold could allow a debate in the Assembly, but a debate is not automatic and depends on a commission’s decision.
The petition accuses CNews of spreading discriminatory views and failing to meet pluralism requirements.
Its support rose sharply after a racist attack in Trappes and La Verrière on 24 October.
CNews said it would not comment on what it called a political petition and has defended its commitment to freedom of expression.
- Who
- The petition was launched by citizen Lucas Massoni. It calls for CNews, owned by the Canal+ group, to be removed from French broadcasting.
- What
- The petition passed 500,000 signatures, making a debate in the National Assembly possible. The threshold does not guarantee a debate or the channel’s closure.
- When
- It passed the threshold on Monday, 2 November 2026. The petition was launched on 10 June.
- Where
- On the French National Assembly’s online petition platform.
- Why
- The petition alleges that CNews spreads discriminatory views and fails to meet its pluralism obligations. Its support increased after the racist attack in Trappes and La Verrière.
Petition supporters
CNews
Character of the channel
Petition supporters
The petition calls CNews a propaganda machine and says it spreads discriminatory views.
CNews
CNews has defended freedom of expression and said it would not comment on the petition.
Responsibility for public discourse
Petition supporters
Some left-wing politicians accuse CNews of contributing to a climate of hostility toward immigrants and Muslims.
CNews
CNews contests accusations that it promotes far-right opinions and themes.
Lucas Massoni launched the petition on the National Assembly’s citizen petition platform.
A racist attack in Trappes and La Verrière killed one person and injured seven.
The petition passed 100,000, then 200,000, and later 300,000 signatures, according to LCP-Assemblée nationale.
The petition passed 500,000 signatures, opening the possibility of a debate in the National Assembly.
- Signature threshold
- More than 500,000
- Petition launch
- 10 June 2026
- Petition author
- Lucas Massoni
- Target
- CNews, part of the Canal+ group
- Attack cited
- One person killed and seven injured in Trappes and La Verrière on 24 October
- Debate procedure
- A commission must decide whether to examine or dismiss the petition
4 sources
« Une fréquence publique, ça se mérite » : une pétition visant à supprimer « CNews » dépasse les 500 000 signatures
CNews : une pétition appelant à fermer la chaîne dépasse 500 000 signatures, ouvrant la voie à un débat à l’Assemblée nationale
France : Une Pétition Réclamant La Fermeture De CNews Aux Portes Des 500 000 Signatures
"Supprimer CNews": une pétition demandant la "fermeture" de la chaîne du groupe Bolloré dépasse les 300.000 signatures sur le site de l'Assemblée
What people are saying
We will not comment on this political petition
CNews is not a news channel. It is a propaganda machine.
Posts on X
CNEWS DOIT ÊTRE FERMÉE. Depuis des années, cette pseudo « chaîne » met une cible dans le dos des musulmans. En 2021, elle a mené une campagne raciste contre la ville de Trappes et ses habitants. Elle a donné la parole à Renaud Camus, théoricien du grand remplacement, aux