Claudy Siar announced on 19 October 2026 his formal request to the broadcaster Canal+ to remove the French television channel CNews from its programming packages available in Benin. The announcement was made by Claudy Siar in a video released on 19 October 2026, in which he detailed his plan to ask Canal+ to remove CNews from its broadcast offerings in Benin. He described the channel's output as "un message raciste inacceptable pour nous, ici, au Bénin," citing the frequent characterization of the network's content. Claudy Siar stated that "chaque jour sur CNews, les Africains sont insultés, dénigrés dans leurs identités plurielles," prompting his call for the channel's suspension within the country.
Claudy Siar has operated as a mission officer for culture, media, and visibility for President Romuald Wadagni since 3 June 2026. This appointment, which saw Claudy Siar begin serving as a mission officer for culture, media, and visibility for President Romuald Wadagni on 3 June 2026, defines his current professional focus. In this official capacity, he framed the potential removal of the channel as a matter of national standards. "Si en France, on accepte un tel propos, propos de haine à l’encontre d’une frange de la population française, le Bénin ne saurait tolérer un tel média à destination de nos populations," he said. He further emphasized that "les Béninoises et les Béninois sont des Africains," characterizing the proposed intervention as "une question de sens des responsabilités et de dignité."
The advocacy efforts led by Claudy Siar emphasize the alignment of broadcast content with the values held by the citizens of Benin. By addressing the presence of CNews, Claudy Siar seeks to ensure that the media landscape in Benin remains consistent with national expectations regarding public discourse. The request specifically targets the distribution infrastructure provided by Canal+, which currently facilitates the access of Beninese viewers to the French channel. Claudy Siar argues that the nature of the programming broadcast on CNews necessitates a re-evaluation of its availability within the national borders of Benin. This initiative reflects his broader mandate to manage culture, media, and visibility for President Romuald Wadagni.
Discussions regarding the broadcast license and the content standards of the network are set to continue on 20 October 2026. Claudy Siar is scheduled to meet with the president of the Haute Autorité de l'audiovisuel et de la communication (HAAC) of Benin to formally address these concerns. This meeting will serve as a critical step in determining how the regulatory body responds to the allegations regarding the content of CNews. The Haute Autorité de l'audiovisuel et de la communication (HAAC) maintains authority over the broadcast environment in Benin, and the outcome of the discussions on 20 October 2026 will be significant for the future of the channel’s presence in the country. Claudy Siar intends to present his arguments regarding the impact of the channel’s programming directly to the leadership of the Haute Autorité de l'audiovisuel et de la communication (HAAC) during this upcoming session.
