France Orders Expulsion of Former RT France Chief

France's interior ministry has ordered the expulsion of Russian media personality Xenia Feodorova, accusing the former head of RT France of spreading Russian propaganda.

After RT France was banned, Feodorova began working for the television channel CNews and associated outlets Europe 1 and the publication JDNews. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has previously accused her of spreading Russian disinformation.

CANAL+ and Lagardère, which own the outlets, said they were shocked by the authorities' decision and would give Feodorova their full support. AFP reported that her lawyer said she would appeal.

The European Union banned RT France and other Russian state-backed media outlets in 2022 after regulators questioned their impartiality in covering Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Brussels accused Moscow of using state-controlled media to spread disinformation.

Feodorova remained in France after RT France ceased operations. French media have reported that she has since become close to billionaire Vincent Bolloré. CANAL+ and Lagardère are part of his media group, which critics accuse of promoting far-right narratives. Bolloré denies the allegations.

(Reuters, bak)