Particle.news
Download on the App Store

France’s Public Broadcasters Sue CNews, Europe 1 and the JDD for Denigration

The filings move a months‑long media feud into a legal test over alleged unfair competition.

Overview

  • Radio France and France Télévisions filed actions last week at the Paris commercial court targeting CNews, Europe 1 and the Journal du Dimanche, all tied to Vincent Bolloré.
  • The complaints accuse the outlets of denigration treated under unfair‑competition rules, reframing the dispute as a matter of market conduct rather than criminal wrongdoing.
  • The public broadcasters consulted each other but lodged separate cases and declined to comment, and Europe 1 also said it would not comment.
  • CNews presenter Pascal Praud reacted on air, saying that if the public broadcasters attack, his side will “attack,” signaling further rhetorical escalation.
  • The confrontation intensified after the covert ‘Legrand‑Cohen’ video surfaced in September, and the regulator Arcom has been asked to examine impartiality issues as the cases proceed.