France issues deportation order for Russian media personality
Deportation Order and Media Reactions
PARIS, July 29 (Reuters) - France has issued a deportation order for Russian media personality Xenia Fedorova, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.
Background on Xenia Fedorova and Accusations
Fedorova, the former chief of RT France who has become a prominent figure on the rolling news channel CNews and associated outlets Europe 1 and JDNews, has been accused of spreading Russian misinformation, including by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
Media Groups' Response
The CANAL+ and Lagardere groups, which own the media outlets, said in a statement that they were shocked by the news and would "provide their full support to Ms. Fedorova during this decision."
Legal Response
Fedorova's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. AFP reported that the lawyer said she would appeal.
Context: Russian Media in France and the EU
RT France Ban and European Union Actions
In 2022, RT France was banned, along with numerous other Russian state-backed media in the European Union, after European media regulators questioned their impartiality over their coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Brussels accused Moscow of using state-controlled media to disseminate disinformation.
Fedorova's Activities Post-Suspension
Fedorova remained in France after the suspension, with French media reporting that she had since become close to French billionaire Vincent Bollore.
Bollore's Media Empire and Controversies
CANAL+ and Lagardere are part of Bollore's media empire, which opponents have accused of fuelling far-right narratives. Bollore has rejected the criticism, saying his outlets cover subjects ignored elsewhere and that reflect audience demand.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Makini Brice; additional reporting by Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by Alex Richardson and Hugh Lawson)
