Michel Drucker has openly defended CNews, which is the target of a petition demanding its removal from digital terrestrial television. Appearing on RMC, the long-time France Télévisions presenter asserted that the channel should be allowed to continue broadcasting, citing the demise of C8 as a prime example. This stance precedes the dismissal of the petition by members of parliament on Tuesday, despite it having garnered over a million signatures.
"CNews has the right to exist": Michel Drucker clearly shows his support
Michel Drucker did not hesitate to take a stand in the debate on the future of CNews. Interviewed on RMC, the host of Vivement Dimanche unequivocally defended the news channel's presence on digital terrestrial television (TNT), while some were calling for its removal.
" CNews absolutely must exist, it's unimaginable, they've already closed C8. CNews has the right to exist ," said the presenter, referring to the cessation of C8's broadcast on TNT, decided by the Audiovisual and Digital Communication Regulatory Authority (Arcom).
This stance is particularly noteworthy coming from a historical figure of public service broadcasting. At 84, Michel Drucker continues to present Vivement dimanche on France 3, after several decades spent on French television.
The presenter did not comment on the specific content of the controversial CNews programs. However, he defended the very principle of the channel's existence and the place of private media in the audiovisual landscape.
"I watch Pascal Praud, I watch LCI": the presenter asserts his freedom as a viewer.
Michel Drucker also explained that he regularly followed the programs of several news channels, without limiting himself to those of the public service.
"I watch everything because I love this job. I watch you, I watch Pascal Praud, I watch LCI. It's a good company. Private broadcasting needs to exist too ," he continued.
By explicitly citing Pascal Praud, an emblematic figure of CNews and presenter of L'Heure des pros , Michel Drucker acknowledges watching a personality regularly criticized for his stances and political debates.
The presenter also highlighted his interest in LCI, the TF1 group's news channel, and in RMC, where he was a guest. His remarks demonstrate his commitment to the diversity of those working in the audiovisual sector, whether in the public or private sector.
Over a million signatures, but MPs dismissed the petition.
Since Michel Drucker's statements, the debate surrounding CNews has taken a new turn. This Tuesday, members of parliament decided to dismiss the petition demanding the channel's removal from the digital terrestrial television (DTT) network . Despite more than 1,07 million signatures collected on the National Assembly's website, the Committee on Cultural Affairs voted to dismiss the petition by 28 votes to 25.
The petition denounced, in particular, CNews' editorial line and demanded action against the news channel owned by the Canal+ group, controlled by Vincent Bolloré . Its initiators believed that some programs did not sufficiently respect the pluralism requirements imposed on television channels.
The committee chairman, Alexandre Portier ( The Republicans ), pointed out that Parliament did not have the power to shut down a television channel, as this authority fell under the purview of Arcom. He did, however, propose organizing a broader debate on freedom of expression, the future of the press, and media regulation.
The dismissal of the petition is a setback for its initiators. However, it does not mean that CNews is now immune from all sanctions: the channel remains subject to the control of Arcom and the obligations stipulated by audiovisual regulations.
Following the demise of C8, Michel Drucker refuses to take over CNews.
When discussing the closure of C8, Michel Drucker was referring to Arcom's decision not to renew the channel's broadcasting license on digital terrestrial television (TNT). C8 ceased broadcasting on this network on February 28, 2025 , after several years of sanctions and controversies, particularly surrounding the show Touche pas à mon poste , hosted by Cyril Hanouna.
The disappearance of C8 from digital terrestrial television (TNT) provoked strong reactions in the media and political worlds. Michel Drucker, who has spanned several generations of television and worked for both public and private channels, defends the maintenance of a diverse audiovisual offering, even when certain editorial lines are controversial.
Respond to the article
Be the first to comment on this article.