Overview
- The former CNews commentator, whose book L'Heure des crocs is due Thursday, says the channel enforces a single approved view and runs in a “totalitarian” way.
- He says he was dropped on January 23 with no official reason and links it to his refusal to echo support for Nicolas Sarkozy and to his criticism of Israel.
- CNews told AFP he was a high-quality guest with about 850 on-air appearances over eight years and said it regretted what it called his bitterness.
- Bilger, a self-described conservative, says he agrees with most of the channel’s views but faults it for favoring simplism and personal attacks over nuance.
- The dispute unfolds as CNews faces wider bias complaints, including a probe after Saint-Denis mayor Bally Bagayoko alleged a racist insult on air, which the channel disputes.