by Amy Mek, RAIR Foundation:
The escalating fines and sanctions against conservative-leaning channels like CNews and C8 in France highlight the issue of free speech curtailment, with government-tied regulators like Arcom accused of stifling dissent and punishing any opinions against the left’s narrative.
In a troubling development for freedom of speech in France, CNews, a prominent news conservative-leaning channel owned by billionaire Vincent Bolloré, has been sanctioned again by Arcom, the independent public authority established by the French government to regulate media. The channel was fined €80,000 (about $87,000) for failing to meet its obligations during broadcasts. This latest round of penalties follows a December 2023 show during which guests stated that “immigration kills” without any immediate reaction from the host or other guests.
