Mobilization of October 17: CNews headquarters targeted by demonstrators, 21 arrests

On the eve of a national day of mobilization, the Paris headquarters of CNews was targeted by around a hundred people on Saturday morning, said the Paris police headquarters. After intervention by the police, 21 people were arrested, she added.

“Informing must be able to be done without fear, without intimidation and without violence,” responded the news channel which is run by conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré.

Around 7 a.m., around a hundred “hooded individuals” blocked access to the parking lot in front of the channel's headquarters located in the west of the capital and which also houses the Europe 1 editorial staff, according to the police headquarters. Protesters threw projectiles and broke windows. Images on social media also showed toppled barriers.

“We deplore any violence against anyone, whether for us or for our colleagues,” the channel said. “Freedom of the press, essential to our democracy, is also based on the possibility for each journalist to exercise their profession in security, whatever their editorial team.”

On Friday, the Minister of Culture Catherine Pgard deplored on X the “unacceptable” violence committed against journalists on the sidelines of recent high school and student mobilizations.

In the wake of the high school students' movement, several demonstrations are planned for Saturday in France to bring together "angers" and denounce the rising cost of living, supported in particular by former yellow vests, certain unions including the CGT and climate activists.