After weeks of controversy, Xenia Fedorova, the former director of RT France, a channel directly financed by Russia, and currently a columnist on CNews, Europe 1 and in Le JDD, is the subject of an expulsion order. Her participation in the propaganda of Vladimir Putin and the war he is waging in Ukraine – which she prefers to call “special operation”, in the Kremlin’s terms – and her constant criticism of the “West” will have ended up provoking a firm reaction from the French authorities, a few weeks after that of the German government.
Since the announcement of this decision, the leaders of the media which employ the columnist have cried out for censorship, believing that the government is violating freedom of expression here. But to say that is to play a very dangerous game. If freedom of expression exists in France and must be firmly defended, it must not result in confusing truth and lies.
It must not lead, either, to the weakening of our democracy. When speaking daily, Xenia Fedorova does not express personal opinions. Nor does it bring to life a plurality of opinions which, being all valid, would have the right to be developed freely. She is the spokesperson for an adversary at war with the whole of Europe and therefore constitutes an existential danger threatening our society.
A few hours after the announcement of the order targeting her, Xenia Fedorova was able to challenge her expulsion before the French courts. A possibility of recourse which does the honor of the rule of law in which we live. In Moscow, those who dare to raise their voices against those in power are brutally silenced.
