French Government Issues Warning Over Return of Expelled Pro-Putin Commentator

The French government has taken a firm stance against the conservative TV channel CNews following its plans to reintroduce Xenia Federova, a Russian commentator who was expelled from France in August for alleged ties to the Kremlin.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez expressed serious concerns regarding Federova's potential return to the airwaves, highlighting that her previous actions had led to her expulsion due to accusations of spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda and manipulating public discourse. In a communication to France’s ARCOM media regulator, Nunez emphasized that allowing Federova back on air would violate the existing legal measures against her, which include asset freezing and the threat of criminal proceedings.

Federova, who previously led the French branch of RT, has dismissed the allegations as an act of censorship. Despite being formally expelled, she claims she was outside of France at the time of the deportation order, thus avoiding physical removal. Her reappearance on CNews, a channel owned by conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré, raises significant concerns about foreign influence within French media.

Source: www.france24.com