Observation period April 15-21, 2024
Belgian authorities have launched an investigation into alleged Russian interference in the activities of the European Parliament. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo stated that the country’s authorities have begun investigating alleged Russian interference in the activities of the European Parliament. According to De Croo, the investigation concerns a Russian propaganda network whose goal is evidently to promote the election of pro-Russian members of the European Parliament in the upcoming European elections and to weaken EU support for Ukraine. Members of this network were also allegedly paying some European parliamentarians from various countries.
De Croo stated that the Belgian investigation was launched after Czech authorities exposed pro-Russian propaganda actions conducted by the online newspaper Voice of Europe, which even paid European lawmakers to promote a pro-Russian agenda at the end of March.
The Telegram channel @radiomirby reposted a publication from the TG “RIA Novosti”, which had over 700,000 views:
False content discrediting French President Macron
According to the latest monthly report from EDMO, French President Emmanuel Macron became a target of disinformation in March. In addition to the false stories mentioned in the summary, other false content aimed at him was intended to influence public perception of his persona. For example, on fabricated magazine covers, he was portrayed as a war-monger or a failed leader. Using homophobic stereotypes, fake stories also allegedly showed photos and videos of him kissing Ukrainian President Zelensky or dancing at a disco in the 1980s. In other fabricated materials, it was claimed that his wife was born a man. These false stories were found in many EU countries as well as outside the EU.
We found 4212 mentions of French President Emmanuel Macron in Belarusian Telegram channels and public chats. For example, in March 2024, there were 2285 mentions that gathered 13,400,067 views:
Looking at the sources of mentions, most were in pro-government, toxic channels:
Of course, the aforementioned disinformation publications about dancing at a disco in the 1980s were used here, accompanying the news text that causes irritation and discontent in the Russian leadership:
It can be assumed that Emmanuel Macron is regularly targeted by disinformation attacks from Belarusian propaganda, which actively operates in Telegram channels. The goal is to create a negative image of the French president and discredit the activities of the French government and France’s significance on the European continent.
