France Télévisions and Radio France have sued CNews, Europe 1, and Le JDD for denigration, seeking 1.5 million euros in damages. The public groups denounce an orchestrated enterprise of economic and institutional destabilization. Culture Minister Rachida Dati regretted that this approach was not coordinated with oversight authorities.
On November 10, 2025, France Télévisions and Radio France separately filed lawsuits at the Paris Economic Affairs Court against CNews, Europe 1, and Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD), all owned by Vincent Bolloré's media empire. The two public groups, led respectively by Delphine Ernotte and Sibyle Veil, accuse these private media outlets of denigration and seek 1.5 million euros in damages. They denounce an 'orchestrated enterprise of destabilization' that is economic and institutional, amid an ongoing conflict since September, where Bolloré's media accused public broadcasting of left-wing bias.
On Wednesday, November 19, during government questions at the National Assembly, Culture Minister Rachida Dati expressed her annoyance. 'This approach had in no way been coordinated and even less approved by the oversight authorities,' she stated. She acknowledged the public groups' legal freedom to proceed but stressed: 'The oversight authorities should have been informed, could have been informed,' citing respect for public funds involved in the procedure.
For his part, CNews presenter Pascal Praud reacted strongly on his show 'L'heure des pros 2' on November 18. 'If they attack, we will attack,' he asserted, noting that criticisms from CNews and Europe 1 were often responses to prior attacks, such as the controversy involving Patrick Cohen and Thomas Legrand, or satirical segments on France 5. Lawyer Gilles-William Goldnadel, a guest on the set, mentioned a potential counterattack, claiming to be a victim of denigration for years. Praud described an imitation of Élisabeth Lévy on France 5 as 'disgusting,' 'sexist,' and amounting to denigration.
This litigation highlights growing tensions between public broadcasting and private media, fueled by mutual accusations of bias and unfair competition.
