Unveiling the Right-Wing Influence: Examining the Factors Behind the Perceived Bias of French Television Channels

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French television channels, particularly CNews, have been accused of holding right-wing views and giving substantial airtime to far-right pundits like Eric Zemmour. A number of factors contribute to this perceived political bias.

1. Ownership and Influence: The media in France is largely owned by a small group of billionaires, and their influence cannot be discounted. For instance, Vincent Bolloré, who owns a vast transport, media, and advertising empire across Europe and Africa, controls CNews. Critics argue that ownership of these media outlets allows billionaires to exert influence and protect their interests​​.
2. Platforming of Eric Zemmour: CNews has been heavily criticized for providing a platform to Zemmour, a far-right pundit with a history of controversial statements. He has been convicted thrice for inciting hate speech and has been a frequent subject of scrutiny by France’s broadcast regulator, the CSA​.
3. Audience Appeal: CNews has risen to prominence by positioning itself as a straight-talking alternative to mainstream media, focusing heavily on stories about crime, immigration, and Islam. This approach has been criticized for promoting a certain ideological stance, but it has also proven successful in attracting viewers​.
4. Regulatory Loopholes: France’s system of TV regulation mandates equal studio airtime for figures from different political parties in electoral periods. However, this rule doesn’t apply to pundits and commentators, who often lean towards the right on CNews​.
5. Normalisation of Far-Right Discourse: There has been a broader shift in the media establishment, leading to the normalisation of far-right discourse, especially on topics like immigration. This shift is seen not only on Bolloré’s channels but also across the media landscape​.
6. Public Sentiment and Media Reflectivity: Some suggest that CNews and similar channels may be reflecting a broader societal shift to the right. Serge Nedjar, director general of CNews, argued that they feature all topics of interest to the French people, even those traditionally associated with the far right, like insecurity and immigration​.
7. Criticism and Controversy: The channel’s approach has drawn criticism, with accusations of ultra-conservative, discriminatory, and Islamophobic content. Critics argue that CNews has violated the balanced coverage requirement of its licensing agreement and that the CSA has failed to properly sanction the network’s breaches​.

In summary, the perceived right-wing bias of French television channels can be attributed to a complex mix of factors including ownership, regulatory issues, audience appeal, and societal shifts. While there is ongoing debate about the extent and impact of this bias, there is no denying its significance in shaping France’s media landscape.