“We are completely helpless.” Macron calls on government to legislate against “false information” on the internet
Emmanuel Macron with his wife Brigitte Macron. PHOTO: Jeanne Accorsini / Sipa Press / Profimedia
President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called for changes to French law to allow for the urgent blocking of “false information” online.
AFP notes that the French president's wife, Brigitte, has long been the target of false claims on the internet that she was born a man. In addition, the government in Paris has repeatedly warned that Russian disinformation actions have intensified in Europe in the context of the war launched by Russia against Ukraine in February 2022.
Macron announced that he had asked the government for proposals to establish summary procedures against “false information” or “information that harms a person's dignity” that is spread on social media.
“We held a defense council meeting on information warfare where we asked for help for a task that must be completed by the end of the year,” he said in the northeastern French town of Mirecourt.
Macron wants changes 'as soon as possible'
Speaking to the press about the impact of social networks, the French leader mentioned that he wants to implement the procedure in national legislation “as soon as possible”.
The event was part of a wider national tour which previously saw the French in Toulouse in the south-west of the country and Arras in the north.
Macron gave examples of misinformation he wants to crack down on, such as a false claim circulating that France had sent 1,000 legionnaires to the front in Ukraine.
“Maybe you read it, maybe you even believed it for a moment,” Macron said. “It was all completely false,” the president added.
“Completely helpless” in the face of false information
Macron said he himself had faced online harassment “personally” and his wife, Brigitte, “even more”.
“We are completely powerless,” the French head of state continued.
Emmanuel Macron believes it is important to have the possibility to ask a judge “to rule within 48 hours” and force the author to withdraw the posts in question.
The Macron family filed a lawsuit in the United States against conservative American commentator Candace Owens, accusing her of fueling misinformation online that Brigitte was transgender.
The French presidential couple plan to bring “scientific” evidence and photographs proving France's first lady is female, according to their American lawyer.
