France has ordered the expulsion of Russian journalist Xenia Fedorova and frozen her assets, accusing her of serving as a conduit for disinformation campaigns directed by Russian authorities to destabilise public order. The measures were issued in late July, and Fedorova, who is currently outside France, stated she does not intend to return unless the actions are suspended or withdrawn. She rejected the allegations, asserting on X that her work involved lawful residence, tax compliance, and expressing opinions as part of her journalism.
Fedorova previously led the French branch of Russia Today (RT), a Russian state-run broadcaster banned in the European Union since March 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. She now works with media outlets owned by conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré, including Canal+ and Lagardère, both of which have defended her, calling the government's actions "a particularly serious violation of freedom of expression". Russian Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexei Fadeev condemned the move, claiming France is branding dissenting views as Russian propaganda and suppressing free speech despite its public commitments to it.
The case emerges amid French concerns over foreign interference ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with authorities alleging Russia has sought to deepen political divisions through coordinated influence operations. Moscow denies interfering in France's internal affairs and accuses European governments of using such claims to silence non-conforming voices.
The French government's decision to expel a journalist while her employers denounce it as an attack on free speech creates a direct conflict between national security claims and press freedom. This tension will likely shape public debate on how France balances counter-disinformation efforts with its democratic principles ahead of the 2027 election.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
