Businessman Xavier Niel Criticizes French Public Broadcasting Inquiry as 'Circus' During Parliamentary Hearing

French businessman Xavier Niel, co-founder of the production company Mediawan, appeared before a parliamentary commission investigating public broadcasting on April 2, 2026, at the National Assembly in Paris. During the tense hearing, Niel strongly criticized the inquiry, describing it as a 'circus' and stating he was 'not a clown.' He specifically targeted commission rapporteur Charles Alloncle, a member of the UDR party, accusing him of spreading 'approximations, fake news, and lies.' The conflict centered on Alloncle's public statements about Mediawan, co-founded by Niel with Pierre-Antoine Capton and Matthieu Pigasse, and claims regarding a private dinner at Maxim's restaurant to celebrate Delphine Ernotte's reappointment as head of France Télévisions. Niel and commission president Jérémie Patrier-Leitus disputed these allegations, with Patrier-Leitus mentioning potential perjury proceedings against a union representative who made the statements. The inquiry was established at the request of the UDR party, allied with the National Rally and supportive of privatizing public broadcasting. The commission has experienced multiple heated exchanges, including a previous contentious hearing with television host Nagui. The investigation is scheduled to continue until April 8, 2026.