CNews Faces Controversy Over Comments About Black Mayor and Racism Discussion
France’s right-wing news and talk channel CNews is facing accusations of racism following remarks made about the newly elected Black mayor of the Paris region. The controversy erupted during a debate on CNews, where panelists referenced apes and tribes in discussions about Bally Bagayoko, who recently took office as the mayor of Saint Denis and Pierrefitte-sur-Seine.
These allegations come just a month after the audiovisual regulatory body Arcom upheld complaints against CNews for inciting discrimination against Algerian residents in France and Palestinians, resulting in a €100,000 fine. Bagayoko, who was elected on March 16 and has a significant connection to the local community, is regarded by supporters as a refreshing change, especially in areas where nearly 30% of residents live below the poverty line.
With a vision to reform local policing, including proposals to abolish the use of rubber bullets, Bagayoko’s election marks a significant achievement for the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) party. In a recent CNews debate, psychologist Jean Doridot addressed Bagayoko’s ambitions, invoking animal and tribal analogies. “There’s probably some truth to that,” he stated, while emphasizing that humans belong to the great ape family and historically lived in tribes with designated leaders.
In a following discussion, philosopher Michel Onfray criticized Bagayoko for suggesting separation from those “stuck in the past” during his inauguration speech. Onfray characterized Bagayoko’s language as “very tribal” and counter to France’s constitutional principle that elected leaders represent all constituents, regardless of differing beliefs. He asserted, “But we’re not in a primitive tribe, as Darwin described it, in which there is a dominant male who decides everything.”
Bagayoko responded to the remarks over the weekend, labeling them as overtly racist and announcing his intention to file an official complaint. Mathilde Panot, leader of the LFI parliamentary group, condemned the comments as “blatant and unashamed racism” and indicated she would also lodge a complaint with Arcom. In an interview with France Inter, Bagayoko expressed disappointment that the presidential palace had not condemned the remarks, despite condemnation from Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and Culture Minister Catherine Pégard.
Bagayoko plans to organize a demonstration against racism and discrimination outside the Saint-Denis town hall on April 4. Meanwhile, France’s Movement Against Racism and for Friendship between Peoples (Mrap) announced it had filed an official complaint against CNews, requesting an investigation into the comments.
Both Doridot and Onfray have denied any racist intent behind their comments. In a statement issued by CNews, the channel asserted that it denies any allegations of racism in the broadcasts, claiming that segments circulated on social media were taken out of context to provoke outrage. “By misusing this content to incriminate the channel, some actors are fostering a climate of distrust and tension that undermines the sincerity of public debate and republican impartiality,” the statement read. CNews reaffirmed its commitment to combating all forms of racism, but the statements have not quelled the controversy.
Dominique Sopo, president of the anti-racism group SOS Racisme, remarked in a piece for the Liberation newspaper, “How long is CNews going to continue insulting Blacks, immigrants and their children, as well as Muslims and Arabs on a daily basis?” He emphasized that the remarks made in the segments constituted animalization and a denial of civilization, underscoring the apparent racism of the discussions surrounding Bagayoko’s election.
