Paris – 06/03/2026: Xenia Fedorova, former director of RT France, has been facing intense criticism for months due to her role in the French media landscape. After the permanent closure of the broadcaster RT France in 2023, Fedorova appears as a commentator in various French media outlets, especially on channels belonging to the Bolloré Group, such as CNews and Europe 1. There, she presents a viewpoint often aligned with the positions of the Russian government.
In 2024, Fedorova was granted a ten-year residence permit for France. This decision caused significant irritation at the government level. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot publicly called the journalist a “certified propagandist” who ultimately promotes “Vladimir Putin’s agenda.” Despite EU sanctions against RT France and increasing accusations, Fedorova’s residence permit was recently renewed. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez explained that this was an automatic extension and that the government had not intervened.
Criticism of Fedorova extends beyond national borders: several members of the European Parliament, including politician Nathalie Loiseau, are calling for sanctions against her. They accuse her of actively spreading propaganda, particularly regarding the Ukraine conflict and the European Union, which poses a threat to public discourse.
Fedorova herself defends her media activities. She emphasizes the importance of diversity in opinion formation and sees her contributions as a necessary counterbalance to the prevailing Western narrative. With these arguments, she refers to the significance of media freedom, even if her statements are controversial and politically sensitive.
The debate around Fedorova highlights the complex challenges currently faced by France and other democratic states: How can freedom of expression be protected on the one hand without allowing foreign influence to endanger national security or social cohesion? These questions are becoming increasingly relevant amid geopolitical tensions and cybersecurity concerns.
In France, the Fedorova case has led to broader discussions about the role of journalists and the influence of foreign states on the media landscape. It shows the urgent need for clear rules and mechanisms that create transparency about media content and make manipulation attempts visible. The government is faced with the challenge of balancing censorship and protection.
The further development of the Fedorova case is being closely followed, as it significantly impacts the discussion on media freedom and security policy in France. At the same time, the issue represents the general debate about disinformation and influence operations in a connected world.
Sources
- Le Monde
- Euronews
- Le Parisien