Macron calls Russia Today and Sputnik news outlets ‘tools of propaganda’
French President Emmanuel Macron at a joint news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the Russian state television channel Russia Today and the news agency Sputnik as "tools of false propaganda."
On Election Day in France, Sputnik and Russia Today were not allowed into Macron’s headquarters despite several requests.
He responded to the question as to why employees of Russia Today and Sputnik were denied access to his election headquarters during the election campaign. "Russia Today and Sputnik spread false information and slander, and I did not believe that they had a place in my headquarters during the campaign," the French president said.
Macron said he is going to "have exemplary relations with journalists if they are journalists."
"Russia Today and Sputnik do not behave like the press, as journalists. They act as the tools of influence, as propaganda tools, false propaganda," he explained.
Putin and Macron met in France on May 29th. At the press conference after the meeting, the French President said he was ready to impose new sanctions against Russia if the situation in the Donbas deteriorates.