Petition seeking CNews shutdown passes 600,000 signatures after racist attack

A petition seeking to remove French right-wing television channel CNews from the air surpassed 600,000 signatures on Monday, November 2, amid anger over a racist shooting that killed one man and wounded seven other people. The appeal, hosted on the National Assembly website, could be considered for debate in the lower house, although a debate is not automatic.

The independent petition began in June but attracted a surge of support after the October 23 attack in Trappes and La Verrière, west of Paris. A French national of Congolese origin was killed, and a child was among those wounded. A 39-year-old Frenchman has been charged with murder and attempted murder. According to a prosecutor, he said he was targeting people he perceived to be Muslim, African or North African.

People who knew the suspect told French media that he watched CNews avidly. Left-wing politicians have accused outlets such as the channel of providing excessive airtime to anti-immigrant rhetoric. The petition describes CNews as a propaganda operation, while accusations that its far-right views contributed to the killing have intensified public criticism.

The controversy comes about six months before France chooses its next president. Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen is leading opinion polls in the race to succeed President Emmanuel Macron. Critics argue that the channel's editorial agenda increasingly reflects positions taken by her National Rally party.

Those critics also say CNews could benefit if Le Pen wins the 2027 election and carries out her pledge to privatise public broadcasting, which the channel has repeatedly criticised. CNews belongs to ultra-conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré's media holdings and is frequently compared with the right-wing American network Fox News.

Asked by AFP about the campaign, CNews declined to comment on what it characterised as a political petition. The broadcaster has previously rejected accusations that it advances far-right positions and racist stereotypes, saying its role is to defend freedom of expression.

Opposition to the channel has also appeared at demonstrations and in parliament. At a rally in Aubervilliers several days after the shooting, protesters displayed signs accusing CNews of responsibility for deaths. Two Green lawmakers have called on the National Assembly to revoke the channel's accreditation, citing the need to protect democracy from racist hatred.

CNews has faced other controversies this year. France expelled Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova, who had been accused of spreading Kremlin propaganda on the channel. It has also faced accusations over racist remarks broadcast about Bally Bagayoko, the French mayor of Malian descent who leads Saint-Denis, Paris's largest suburb. On October 17, demonstrators taking part in cost-of-living protests threw projectiles and smashed windows at its Paris headquarters.