France’s National Assembly must complete several procedural steps before holding a plenary debate on a petition calling for CNews to leave French broadcasting, which has topped 500,000 signatures.
The National Assembly’s petition page showed 553,474 signatures at 9:34 a.m. ET (14:34 GMT) Monday, Nov. 2. Launched June 10, 2026, the petition calls CNews a “propaganda machine.”
The competent committee decides whether to examine or dismiss a petition; the Conference of Presidents makes the separate decision on a plenary debate. Scheduling also requires signatures from more than 500,000 people across at least 30 departments or overseas territories and a request from the committee chair or a group leader. If the committee dismisses the petition, a deputy may request a debate within eight days.
Reuters reported that CNews is owned by conservative billionaire Vincent Bollore. The outlet said the channel had a 1% market share when it began broadcasting in 2017. Reuters said it was profitable in 2025 and led France’s free-to-air news audience. The outlet linked weaker 2026 viewership to gains by rivals during the Iran war.
Reuters said critics link CNews’ editorial line to France’s far-right National Rally. It also reported the channel may benefit if Marine Le Pen wins the 2027 presidential election and privatizes public broadcasting, which CNews has criticized; Reuters cited polls suggesting she could win. The committee’s review is the next procedural step.
