France’s highest administrative court has upheld a decision to shut down the popular television channel C8, citing “repeated violations of broadcasting guidelines”, including “failures to respect human rights, protect minors, and meet financial obligations”.
The ruling, which confirms the French media regulator Arcom’s decision not to renew C8’s broadcasting license, has sparked a fierce debate over free speech, with critics arguing it sets a dangerous precedent for political censorship.
C8, a channel under the Canal+ group, is owned by billionaire Vincent Bolloré, whose media empire has leaned increasingly toward right-wing viewpoints in recent years.
The channel, which boasts a daily audience of over 9 million viewers, will go off the air on March 1, as its broadcasting license is transferred to another network.
The court justified its ruling by citing C8’s history of regulatory violations, including a €3.5 million fine in 2023 after its star host, Cyril Hanouna, launched a tirade against a left-wing lawmaker on-air.
However, the decision has outraged many on the right, including far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who denounced it as a victory for “the Ayatollahs of groupthink.”
Even Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, a conservative with presidential ambitions, expressed concern over the move, arguing that the court had deprived millions of viewers of a media platform that reflected their perspectives.
The controversy comes amid growing concerns over Europe’s tightening grip on media regulations. U.S. figures like Vice President JD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk have previously criticised European media laws as threats to free expression, warning that governments are using regulatory oversight as a tool to suppress dissenting views.
C8’s shutdown is particularly significant given Bolloré’s media empire’s role in amplifying discussions around crime, immigration, and conservative politics, often providing airtime to members of Le Pen’s National Rally party. Supporters of the channel see the ruling as an attempt to silence political opposition under the guise of “regulatory enforcement”.
Canal+ condemned the decision, warning that over 400 staff and suppliers would lose their jobs, calling it a “sacrifice of an entire media ecosystem.”
The ruling also raises questions about France’s broader media landscape. Media historian Alexis Levrier pointed out that the decision is rooted in a 1986 law, originally designed by a conservative government to regulate state-owned broadcasting licenses. However, critics argue that today’s media environment is vastly different and that shutting down a major channel due to content concerns erodes democratic pluralism.
