This paper reflects the concept of populism, based on an analysis of a media editorial line and the increasing populist, demagogic discourses present on mainstream media in France. It presents the concept of populism and its current problems, then offers a methodological reflection centered on the desire to emphasize the role of media on the rise of right-wing populism and far-right ideology. The aim is to study the role of media, which can promote populist communication. This study doesn’t focus on contextual factors such as the electoral success of right-wing populist parties; instead, it explores other aspects, such as media editorial line and opinion journalism, largely independent of political reality which can increase the chances of populist rhetoric being included in media coverage. Therefore, this paper offers a brief review of the communicative aspect of populism. It discusses the rise of populist rhetoric in the media in France and the role of the CNews television channel in mobilizing and promoting far-right ideologies in the French political and media landscape. The results highlight how CNews, with its far-right columnists, such as Eric Zemmour, contribute to the rise of right-wing populist rhetoric in the French media landscape; since the increase of its audience coincides with the rise of right-wing populist and far-right rhetoric in the French political spectrum.
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