France's Interior Ministry has ordered the expulsion of Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova, accusing her of spreading Kremlin propaganda on French television and radio. The expulsion order, reported by French newspaper Liberation, alleges that Fedorova acted as a conduit for disinformation campaigns orchestrated by Russian authorities aimed at destabilizing public order in France.

According to AFP, Fedorova has been placed under house arrest since the order was issued. She is the former head of Russia Today (RT) in France, which was banned in the country after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Fedorova remained in France and became a commentator for outlets owned by French billionaire Vincent Bolloré's media conglomerate, appearing frequently on CNews television and Europe 1 radio, and writing for Le Journal du Dimanche.

Fedorova's employers expressed astonishment at her expulsion, calling it a particularly serious infringement on freedom of expression. The media group pledged full support to Fedorova during this process. Her lawyer, Emmanuel Piwnica, told AFP that his client would immediately appeal the order, stating that she is a journalist who has always carried out her work in the most proper manner.

Tensions between Fedorova and the French state date back to 2017, when President Emmanuel Macron criticized her and implied she was not a journalist. Macron said, "When media outlets spread defamatory falsehoods, they are no longer journalists. They are instruments of influence." In June, Macron reiterated that his opinion had not changed.

Disinformation experts had previously raised alarms about the influence of figures like Fedorova in France ahead of next year's presidential election. While there is no evidence of direct links between Fedorova and the Kremlin, media advocates have argued she should be regarded as an agent of influence.

Source: www.dw.com