French CNN in 05

net1

France is to finally launch a French-language news channel next year in an attempt to challenge the dominance of the American view of world affairs, the prime minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, said.

The government will provide E30m in start-up funding for the channel, The CII (International Information Channel) project, better known in France as "CNN à la Francaise", was first announced shortly after President Chirac’s 2002 re-election.

Derided in France at first, now, after it's outspoken opposition to the US-led invasion of Iraq the channel is seen as a valuable tool in promoting France's language and its view of global affairs.

The leading private broadcaster, TF1, and its state television group, France Télévisions, will mount a 50-50 venture that will employ 240 people and make use of the existing networks of AFP (Agence France Presse) and RFI (Radio France Internationale).