A “largely unequivocal” treatment of electoral news: Europe 1, where the controversial host Cyril Hanouna presents a show specially designed for the early legislative campaign, received a formal notice from Arcom for lack of “moderation” and “honesty”. The star of C8, a channel owned by conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré, landed on June 17 on the businessman’s radio station to present a daily show, “On marche sur la tête”, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., ahead of the elections on June 30 and July 7.
Last week, two days after the launch of the program, criticized by many observers for its pro-extreme right and anti-New Popular Front line, Arcom reminded Europe 1 of its obligations in terms of “pluralism” and “honesty”. Thursday June 27, the regulator estimated in particular that “the electoral news of “La France insoumise” and the “New Popular Front””, a coalition of the main left-wing groups, “was treated in a systematically critical and virulent manner, in terms that are often derogatory and outrageous.
“Convergent remarks”. In addition, the treatment “was largely unequivocal, most of the guests, a large majority of whom came from the same political movement, having made convergent comments”, according to the Arcom decision. Between June 17 and 26, sixteen guests out of 29 “represented or supported parties belonging to the “extreme right” bloc, compared to seven from the presidential majority and two from the New Popular Front,” details Arcom.
“All of these elements reflect a lack of moderation and honesty in the commentary on election news,” believes Arcom. Another grievance retained by the regulator: the broadcast schedule, “likely to attract large audiences” with remarks that “find significant coverage on social networks, due to the particular amplification given to these broadcasts by both the editor and the host.” An effect further amplified by the brevity of the election campaign, underlines Arcom, whose decision has yet to be published in the Official Journal and which is supported by numerous examples.
Multiple statements. Not stingy with his statements, Cyril Hanouna has repeatedly attacked former socialist president François Hollande, candidate in the first constituency of Corrèze under the colours of the New Popular Front. He has especially attacked his columnist Gilles Verdez, accusing him of “validating the Islamo-leftist strategy of La France Insoumise and therefore of the New Popular Front”.
“They have a triple objective: the destruction of the Republic, the destruction of the country and the destruction of our civilisation,” he said. “For the far left, there will be no limits (…) in the glorification of thugs. They are lovers of thugs,” added a columnist for “On marche sur la tête” on 21 June. Another called a person who had declared himself opposed to the National Rally “stupid” and “ignorant”. Contacted by AFP, Europe 1 did not comment.
Previous slip-ups. On the Arcom disciplinary scale, the formal notice follows the warning and precedes the sanctions, which C8, where Cyril Hanouna usually officiates, is accustomed to. The excesses during its broadcasts have already earned the channel a total of 7.5 million euros in fines. The last episode of “Touche pas à mon poste”, broadcast live on C8 two weeks ago, was also the subject of a referral to Arcom. Cyril Hanouna played the go-between by calling the president of the RN, Jordan Bardella, so that the MEP Reconquête! Sarah Knafo would leave him a message and demand an agreement in view of the legislative elections.
Scheduled for two weeks, his radio show should end on Friday at the same time as the campaign. It illustrates the bridges between the different media controlled by Vincent Bolloré (C8, CNews, Europe 1, the JDD…), which share many figures. Two former CNews columnists, Pierre Gentillet and Guillaume Bigot, are RN candidates in the legislative elections.
Aurélie CARABIN
© Agence France-Presse
