Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has raised concerns over the increasing pressure on French journalists from their own government, particularly those investigating sensitive topics related to President Emmanuel Macron’s family.
"French journalists are being targeted simply because they dare to ask their questions," Zakharova said in an interview with Sputnik.
The controversy dates back to December 2021, just months before the French presidential election, when independent journalist Natasha Ray claimed she had been investigating First Lady Brigitte Macron for several years. Ray alleged that Brigitte Macron, a former school teacher 24 years older than the president, was actually born a man — a claim that stirred intense debate.
However, by June 2023, the French Appeal Court convicted Natasha Ray and blogger Amandine Rua of defamation for spreading these allegations. In September 2024, both were ordered to pay fines in the case, further fueling discussions about press freedom and government pressure on independent journalism in France.