French Regulator Fines CNews €100,000 for Discrimination Against Muslims and Algerians

Arcom Imposes Significant Fine on CNews

France's media regulatory body, Arcom (Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique), has levied a fine of €100,000 against the conservative television channel CNews. The sanction, announced on February 11, 2026, addresses two broadcasts from August 2025 that Arcom deemed to have encouraged discrimination against Muslim and Algerian communities.

Details of the Discriminatory Broadcasts

The fine specifically targets two episodes of CNews' flagship program, 'L'heure des pros' (also referred to as 'L'heure des pros 2 Été').

• On August 8, 2025, a segment featured former minister Noëlle Lenoir making remarks that linked 'millions of Algerians' to a 'major public safety risk.' Arcom concluded that these statements could stigmatize individuals based on their national origin.
• A second broadcast on August 12, 2025, included a columnist who criticized what were described as 'pro-Palestinian positions of 'liberal Western thinkers'.' Arcom determined that this segment collectively associated all Palestinians with the perpetrators of the October 7 attacks, thereby reinforcing discriminatory stereotypes tied to political opinions or communities.

Arcom stated that both instances constituted violations of French broadcasting standards, which prohibit content that incites discriminatory attitudes based on nationality or religion.

Regulatory Scrutiny and Broader Context

This penalty is not an isolated incident for CNews, a channel often likened to Fox News in the United States due to its conservative editorial stance. Arcom noted that it had previously issued formal warnings to the broadcaster concerning problematic programming. The regulator has 'strongly urged' CNews to implement measures to ensure that future content does not promote discriminatory behavior.

The substantial fine underscores the French regulatory body's commitment to enforcing media standards against hate speech and discrimination, particularly within the country's often polarized media landscape.