Macron’s war on fake news from Russia angers Le Pen

President Macron declared war on fake news and Kremlin propaganda in a new year speech at the Élysée Palace
President Macron declared war on fake news and Kremlin propaganda in a new year speech at the Élysée Palace
LUDOVIC MARIN /EPA

The far right National Front has accused President Macron of trying to muzzle the French press after he promised to bring in laws to fight fake news.

Marine Le Pen, the populist party leader, said that Mr Macron’s plan was “very worrying”. She wrote in a tweet: “Is France still a democracy if it muzzles its citizens? Who will decide if news is fake? Judges, the government?”

The conservative opposition Republicans party also attacked Mr Macron’s plan as “dangerous for press freedom”. “Does Emmanuel Macron want to turn journalists into his press officers?” the party spokeswoman asked.

President Macron’s promise to fight fake news was described as dangerous for press freedom
President Macron’s promise to fight fake news was described as dangerous for press freedom
LUDOVIC MARIN/ASSOCIATED PRESS

The president’s proposal was aimed mainly at the Russian-backed offensive on social media and Kremlin-run news sites, according to Ms Le Pen. She was backed by Moscow in