French news channel CNews fined $119,000 for discriminatory remarks against Algerians, Muslims

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - French news channel CNews was fined €100,000 ($119,000) on Wednesday for broadcasting discriminatory content targeting Algerians and Muslims.

France's audiovisual regulator Arcom imposed several fines totaling €100,000 over two segments aired in 2025 that it said could incite discrimination against Muslims and Algerians, according to daily Ouest France.

Arcom judged that the two segments from the channel’s L’heure des pros program “encourage discriminatory behavior, on the one hand by equating the presence of Algerian nationals in France […] with a major public safety risk" and on the other hand by associating “all Palestinians with the perpetrators” of the Oct. 7 attack.

Beyond these rulings, Arcom also reportedly recalled that it had previously issued formal warnings to CNews over earlier broadcasts deemed problematic and strongly urged the channel to ensure “it does not encourage discriminatory behavior.”