Canal+ has entered into a war of words with the CSA after media regulator fined it €200,000.
It follows an appearance last September on CNews programme Face à l’info by political journalist Eric Zemmour.
In a statement CSA found that even though Zemmour’s comments were made in the context of a legitimate debate on the policy for receiving unaccompanied foreign minors in France and on immigration policy, they were likely to incite hatred and conveyed numerous stereotypes.
Canal described the regulator’s actions as deplorable and announced its intention to appeal: “This decision contravenes the principle of freedom of expression and the CANAL+ Group intends to use all possible means of appeal as soon as possible.”
Zemmour, who prides himself on his xenophobic views, is seen as a potential threat to far right candidate to Marine Le Pen in next year’s French presidential elections.