French Media and Elections Targeted by Widespread Disinformation Campaigns Ahead of 2026 Polls

France is facing a significant wave of disinformation targeting its media landscape and political process ahead of the 2026 municipal elections. Reporters sans frontières (RSF) has uncovered 85 fake news websites actively spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda across France, publishing nearly 13,900 articles since February 2025. These websites use deceptive editorial practices by mimicking the names and visual identity of established French outlets such as "Sud-Ouest Direct" and "Normandie Actus Infos," seeking to undermine trust in Western institutions and elevate Russian narratives. RSF warns this campaign could materially influence the municipal elections scheduled for March 15 and 22, 2026.

Concurrently, social media platforms like TikTok have become vectors for disinformation involving French media impersonation. A TikTok account known as "Omartv249," amassing over 200,000 followers, has posted nearly 100 videos that distort media content, particularly targeting France 24 with 69 fake segments viewed over 22 million times. This account has viral videos with fabricated claims, including the discovery of a mermaid by fishermen, a missile strike on the Eiffel Tower, and the outbreak of a third world war—all generated or manipulated using AI technology. The account has changed names and is tied to ambiguous fundraising on a Senegalese platform, raising concerns over transparency and intent.

RSF's Vincent Berthier emphasizes the need to bolster the visibility of credible journalism, especially given the ongoing and increasing influence of Russian disinformation efforts that have also affected other democratic processes abroad, such as Germany's 2025 elections and the 2024 U.S. presidential race. These disinformation campaigns employ sophisticated methods aimed at sowing mistrust in mainstream media and manipulating public opinion.