CNews Under Investigation for Hate Speech After Comments on Black Mayor
variety.com • • world
Key Points:
- CNews, a French news channel similar to Fox News, is under formal investigation for possible hate speech after allegedly racist remarks about Bally Bagayoko, the first Black mayor of Saint-Denis.
- The Paris prosecutor’s office opened the probe following Bagayoko’s complaint regarding comments made on CNews in late March, and also launched a separate investigation into cyberbullying targeting him due to his skin color.
- The controversy began after Bagayoko’s election victory when CNews panelists made remarks invoking imagery related to apes and tribal leadership, which critics say were racist and demeaning.
- CNews denied the allegations, calling the accusations baseless, but the channel is known for its right-leaning and sometimes far-right editorial stance and is the most watched news network in France.
- Under French law, racist public insults can lead to up to one year in prison and fines, while cyberbullying carries penalties of up to two years in prison and fines, with harsher sentences possible for aggravating circumstances.
