Following accusations of Russian meddling in the US presidential elections, many in France are concerned by potential Russian interference in the upcoming presidential vote. As Russian state media expands in France, FRANCE 24 investigates if there is a hidden agenda in the campaign coverage.

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Launched in 2005, the Russian government-funded television network Russia Today has now expanded to include Arabic, Spanish and English, and has plans to launch a French-language service by the end of 2017 with an initial budget of 15 million euros.

American intelligence services have alleged that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, raising questions as to what plans the Russians may have for the upcoming French presidential vote. Will they try to use their state-sponsored media to influence the outcome?

FRANCE 24 journalists Jonathan Walsh, Elena Gabrielian and Elena Volochine take a look at Russia Today and the Sputnik news agency, whose editorial slant often leans strongly towards the National Front’s Marine Le Pen.

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