France

[FR] CNews given formal notice over editorial treatment of book on Crépol tragedy

IRIS 2026-4:1/10

Amélie Blocman

Légipresse

Arcom received a referral in connection with the CNews broadcast in March 2025 of around twenty sequences devoted to the book Une nuit en France, relating to the tragedy that took place in Crépol in November 2023, during which a teenager was killed at a party. A judicial investigation is still underway into the homicide and attempted homicide by an organised gang. Some politicians and the media put forward the hypothesis of an anti-white racist crime, an interpretation criticised in the book, which led to the contentious sequences in which the book was described as a "rewrite" or as "revisionist".

Arcom notes that most of the broadcasts relayed a single interpretation of the facts, centred on the theory of a racist crime, presented in an unambiguous and peremptory manner. With regard to the handling of an ongoing judicial procedure, comments asserting a racist motive were made on numerous occasions, without appropriate safeguards, in disregard of the requirements of moderation, rigour and honesty, as well as the presentation of the different possible theories , as set out in the decision of 18 April 2018 and the channel's broadcasting licence.

In addition, these comments were not moderated on air, which constitutes a breach of the obligation to control the airwaves.

Arcom is therefore giving formal notice to the CNews broadcaster to comply with its obligations.