French authorities have issued an expulsion order for Russian journalist Xenia Fedorova, as reported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, according to Reuters and AFP.
The former head of RT France has been accused of disseminating Kremlin propaganda through French television and radio, coinciding with the country’s preparations for next year’s presidential elections.
RT France was banned in 2022, amid the Ukraine war, alongside numerous other Russian state-supported media outlets within the European Union, as Brussels accused Moscow of using such platforms to spread disinformation.
Fedorova remained in France after the closure of RT France, taking on roles as a commentator for media outlets owned by conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré.
She frequently appears on CNews, Europe 1 radio, and writes a column for Le Journal du Dimanche, presenting Kremlin narratives regarding Ukraine and the West.
The expulsion order claims that Fedorova acted “as a channel for disinformation campaigns orchestrated by Russian authorities” aimed at “destabilizing public order” in France, as cited by French newspaper Libération.
Reactions from Her Lawyer and Employers
Fedorova’s lawyer, Emmanuel Piwnica, announced that she will “immediately appeal” the expulsion order.
“Xenia Fedorova is a journalist. This decision represents a serious violation of the freedom of expression of a journalist who has always conducted her work in the most appropriate manner,” stated the lawyer in a press release.
Fedorova’s employers, media groups Canal+ and Lagardère, have criticized the expulsion decision, labeling it a “particularly serious violation of freedom of expression,” and pledged to offer her “full support.”
Canal+ and Lagardère are part of Bolloré’s media empire, which critics have accused of promoting far-right narratives. Bolloré has denied these accusations, asserting that his publications cover topics ignored elsewhere and reflect public demand.
