Paris Prosecutor Launches Hate Speech Investigation into CNews Following Allegations of Racist Slurs Against Saint-Denis Mayor

Paris prosecutors are investigating CNews for alleged racist slurs against Saint-Denis Mayor Bally Bagayoko, amid broader concerns over far-right media narratives.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 4, 2026, 4:18 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Reuters

Legal Action Against Rolling News Giant

CNews, the prominent French news channel controlled by tycoon Vincent Bolloré’s Vivendi group, is under intense legal scrutiny following a Friday announcement from the Paris prosecutor's office. The investigation centers on possible hate speech and racist slurs allegedly broadcast on March 27 and 28. The target of the comments was Bally Bagayoko, a member of the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party and the first Black mayor of Saint-Denis. Bagayoko filed a formal complaint on Wednesday, prompting the prosecutor to examine whether the network’s commentary crossed the threshold of protected speech into criminal racial defamation.

CNews Denies "Baseless" Allegations

In response to the opening of the probe, CNews has maintained a defensive posture. While the network did not provide an immediate comment to Reuters, it informed AFP that the controversy is "baseless" and flatly denied that any racist slurs were uttered during the broadcasts in question. The channel, which has frequently been likened to America’s Fox News due to its opinion-heavy format, has become a lightning rod for criticism from media watchdogs. Opponents argue that the network’s consistent focus on immigration and security serves to amplify far-right narratives, though the channel maintains it provides a necessary platform for diverse opinions.

Dual Inquiry into Cyberbullying

Beyond the broadcast comments, the prosecutor's office has opened a secondary investigation into the digital harassment of Mayor Bagayoko. This inquiry focuses on possible cyberbullying specifically targeting the mayor’s skin color. Saint-Denis, located north of Paris, is one of France’s most diverse and impoverished suburbs, and Bagayoko’s historic election has seemingly made him a focal point for intense online vitriol. The prosecutor's statement emphasized that the investigation will look into the origin of these attacks and whether they were coordinated in response to the CNews segments.