French television network TV5Monde was forced to broadcast only pre-recorded programmes Thursday after it was hacked by individuals claiming to belong to the so-called Islamic State group, who also hijacked its websites and social networks.
The Paris-based company was able to partially resume television broadcasts by 1 am (2300 GMT) after a three-hour blackout, the network's director-general Yves Bigot told AFP, but added its systems had been "severely damaged" by an "unprecedented attack".
"We can only broadcast pre-recorded programmes. We are not yet in a position to re-establish our broadcasting schedule nor to produce programmes," Bigot said early Thursday on RTL radio.
"When you work in television... and you find out that your 11 channels are down, of course that's one of the most dreadful things that can happen to you," added Bigot.
The hackers posted documents on TV5Monde's Facebook page purporting to be the identity cards and CVs of relatives of French soldiers involved in anti-IS operations, along with threats against the troops.
"Soldiers of France, stay away from the Islamic State! You have the chance to save your families, take advantage of it," read one message on TV5Monde's Facebook page. "The CyberCaliphate continues its cyberjihad against the enemies of Islamic State," the message added.
TV5Monde regained control of its social networks by 2:00 am Thursday but television broadcasts were likely to take hours, if not days, to return to normal. The attack would have required weeks of preparation, Bigot added.
Bigot told AFP earlier in the evening: "We are no longer able to broadcast any of our channels. Our websites and social media sites are no longer under our control and are all displaying claims of responsibility by the so-called Islamic State."
Its website were still offline by 9:00 am, displaying an "under maintenance" message to visitors.
