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, “We walk on the head“, from 4 p.m. to 6 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 D'”honesty“.
“A lack of moderation and honesty”
On Thursday, the regulator considered in particular that “electoral news from ‘La France insoumise’ and the ‘New Popular Front’“, coalition of the main left-wing parties”, and “has been treated in a systematically critical and virulent manner, often in pejorative and outrageous terms“.In addition, the treatment “was largely unequivocal, with most of the guests, the vast majority of whom came from the same political movement, making converging statements.“, according to the decision of Arcom.
Between June 17 and 26, sixteen guests on 29″represented or supported parties from the ‘extreme right’ bloc, against seven from the presidential majority and two from the New Popular Front”details Arcom.
“All of these elements reflect a lack of measure and honesty in the comments on electoral news.“.
Another complaint retained by the regulator: the broadcast schedule, “likely to attract large audiences“with words that”find a significant relay on social networks, due to the particular amplification given to these programs by both the publisher and the host“.
An effect further amplified by the brevity of the electoral campaign, underlines Arcom, whose decision has yet to be published in the Official Journal and which is supported by numerous examples.
Not stingy with his statements, Cyril Hanouna has attacked on several occasions the former socialist president François Hollande, candidate in the first constituency of Corrèze under the colors of the New Popular Front. He especially attacked his columnist Gilles Verdez, accusing him of “validate the Islamo-leftist strategy of La France Insoumise and therefore of the New Popular Front“.
“Destruction of the Republic”
“They have a triple objective: the destruction of the Republic, the destruction of the country and the destruction of our civilization.” he said.For the far left, there will be no limits (…) in the glorification of thugs. They are lovers of thugs“, added a columnist from “We walk on the head” June 21st.
Another called it “stupid” and D'”unaware“a person who had declared himself opposed to the National Rally. Asked by AFP, Europe did not comment. In the disciplinary scale of Arcom, the formal notice follows the warning and precedes the sanctions, to which C8, where Cyril Hanouna usually officiates, is accustomed. The slip-ups during its broadcasts have already earned the channel a total of 7.5 million euros in fines.
The latest issue of “Do not touch My TV“, broadcast live on C8 two weeks ago, was also the subject of a referral to Arcom. Cyril Hanouna played matchmaker by calling the president of the RN, Jordan Bardella, so that the Reconquest! MEP Sarah Knafo leaves him a message and demands an agreement for 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.
