Overview
- Bally Bagayoko filed a lawsuit against CNews over two broadcasts on March 27 and 28 that used “ape,” “tribe,” and “dominant male” language while discussing the newly elected Saint-Denis mayor.
- CNews said no racist remarks were made and argued the viral clips were taken out of context, and the two on-air guests also denied racist intent.
- Anti-racism groups MRAP and SOS Racisme filed complaints and asked prosecutors and the media regulator Arcom to investigate the segments.
- Culture Minister Catherine Pégard and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez condemned the remarks, and Bagayoko called a rally against racism outside Saint-Denis city hall on April 4.
- Arcom, which fined CNews €100,000 last month over separate incitement cases, now faces new complaints that could lead to another inquiry into the channel.