ru.euronews.com
Disinformation Campaign Targets Head of French Domestic Intelligence
A July disinformation campaign falsely claimed that Celin Burton, the first woman to head France's domestic intelligence agency, resigned; the false claim was spread via manipulated screenshots of a nonexistent Le Monde article and promoted by pro-Russian outlets.
- What are the potential implications of this disinformation campaign?
- This campaign aims to undermine public trust in the French government and its intelligence services. The false narrative linking the DGSI to illicit cryptocurrency operations and potential state-sponsored repression of protests suggests an attempt to destabilize France before anticipated autumn demonstrations.
- What is the core claim of the disinformation campaign and how was it spread?
- The disinformation campaign falsely claimed that Celin Burton, head of France's domestic intelligence agency (DGSI), resigned due to her failure to stop illicit cryptocurrency flows. This claim was spread through manipulated screenshots of a supposedly deleted Le Monde article, shared widely on social media.
- Who are the actors involved in spreading this disinformation, and what are their connections?
- Pro-Russian actors and websites, including the French Pravda network and a blog by Cyril de Lattre (a former pilot and self-proclaimed geopolitical analyst residing in Russia), spread the false claim. De Lattre, who has appeared on Russian state television, blamed President Macron for concealing Burton's supposed resignation.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative focuses heavily on the false claim of Celine Burton's resignation, giving significant attention to the fabricated Le Monde article screenshots and their spread on social media. The headline of the fake article, "Everything went wrong: Head of intelligence resigns after sharp rise in online revenue threatens to crash the euro," is alarming and sensationalist, immediately framing Burton's alleged actions as a major crisis. This framing overshadows the fact that the claim is demonstrably false. The article prioritizes the dissemination of the disinformation and the actions of those spreading it over the refutation of the false claim itself. The inclusion of the connection to pro-Russian actors is presented later in the article, lessening its immediate impact.
Language Bias
The article uses language that amplifies the impact of the disinformation campaign. Terms like "dezinformatsionnaya kampaniya" (disinformation campaign), "fal'shivaya nov'" (fake news), and descriptions of the actions as a "crisis" add an emotional charge. The repeated use of terms like "mystery" and "enigmatic" regarding the screenshots contributes to the sense of intrigue surrounding the false narrative. Neutral alternatives would be more direct and factual. For instance, instead of "mystery screenshots," the article could describe them as "fabricated screenshots.
Bias by Omission
While the article details the spread of disinformation, it could benefit from explicitly mentioning the potential motivations behind the campaign. Although it notes a connection to pro-Russian actors, it doesn't delve into why these actors might be targeting Burton or French intelligence. Further, the lack of a detailed explanation regarding how the disinformation spread could be seen as an omission that limits the reader's understanding of the campaign's effectiveness and broader implications. More detailed analysis on the methods used to spread the fake news would improve understanding.
Sustainable Development Goals
The disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting Celine Burton, head of France's domestic intelligence agency, undermines public trust in institutions and destabilizes the political environment. The spread of false information about her resignation, linked to pro-Russian actors, is a direct attack on the integrity of French intelligence and state institutions. This action seeks to sow discord and potentially influence public opinion, thereby hindering the ability of institutions to maintain peace and security.