Investigation opened after Arcom complaint about death threats

The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation for “death threats” following a complaint from Arcom, the broadcasting regulator, for a letter received on July 31, the public prosecutor’s office told AFP on Wednesday, confirming information from RMC. “The Paris prosecutor’s office has instructed the Brigade for the Repression of Crimes Against the Person (BRDP) to investigate for death threats, following a letter received by Arcom on July 31,” it said.

“We’re going to kill you all” inscriptions

Asked by AFP, Arcom confirmed having received the letter. “We have filed a complaint as we systematically do when we receive threatening letters of this type,” the Authority added. According to RMC, the letter included the words “We are going to kill you all” and “No Stalinist regime in France”, and was signed “The black vests”.

The letter also allegedly contained “insults and, above all, explicit death threats against officials of the Audiovisual Communication Regulatory Authority and their families,” according to the radio station.

The Authority is faced with several highly sensitive issues

For many months, the Authority has been faced with several highly sensitive issues, at the crossroads of the media and politics. It has found itself under crossfire from those who accuse it of not doing enough and those who, on the contrary, criticize it for sanctions that are too severe or political.

The latest major episode to date, the audiovisual regulator announced on July 24 the list of candidates selected for the allocation of 15 DTT frequencies in 2025. The C8 channel, the most sanctioned on French television and on which the host of “Touche pas à mon poste” Cyril Hanouna officiates, was not selected and could disappear in its current form.