The Urgency of Addressing Racism on French Television


In France, where liberty, equality, and fraternity are the backbone of the national identity, the presence of racism in media — especially television — poses a jarring contradiction that cannot be overlooked. Despite France’s self-image as a beacon of universal values, the nation’s television channels fall disappointingly short when it comes to equitable representation and treatment of people of color, particularly those of African descent.One of the most glaring issues is the sheer lack of diversity on French television. According to a report by the French media regulator CSA, a mere 17% of those appearing on French TV in 2019 were from ethnic minorities. This is in stark contrast to the nation’s ethnic makeup, where around a quarter of the population belongs to these groups. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s also about the roles these individuals are allowed to occupy. With only 6% of TV presenters coming from ethnic minorities, mostly relegated to entertainment or sports programs, the message this sends is unmistakably clear: people of color are “good enough” for entertainment, but not to be authorities on issues of public concern. This absence of diverse representation isn’t a mere oversight — it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and keeps alive the notion that people of color are on the fringes of French society. Their near-invisibility on mainstream media channels cultivates and reinforces a monolithic narrative that equates being French with being white.