In France, electoral disinformation had “limited effects”, according to a study

Attempts at disinformation and manipulation during the French electoral period in 2022 were numerous on social networks, but their effects in questioning the sincerity of the ballot remained limited, according to a study published on Tuesday 28 June.

Read alsoDisinformation, cyber-attacks: the new world war

"

" because the "

" content observed online remained confined to certain "

", told AFP Théophile Lenoir, associate researcher at the Institut Montaigne and co-director of the study, to which the organizations Checkfirst, the Institute of Complex Systems (CNRS), the Geode research center (University of Paris 8) and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) contributed in particular.

Coordinated inauthentic behavior

The mobilization of public authorities on issues of disinformation, the influence of traditional media on the media agenda and the verification networks set up by several media (including AFP) with platforms have notably contributed to the resilience of the system. French informational, according to the report.

However, the development of speeches which question the validity of the polls, the counting of votes or contest the legitimacy of the re-election of Emmanuel Macron, worries the researchers.

They have notably spotted theories directly imported from the United States, such as an alleged secret agreement between the State and the Dominion company, accused by Donald Trump and his supporters of having facilitated fraud during the 2020 American elections, to distort the result of the votes in favor of the incumbent president.

Read alsoThe creation of a “Council on the governance of disinformation” by Joe Biden arouses controversy

The researchers also noted a "

" concerning the presidential campaign of Eric Zemmour, to artificially amplify fake polls on social networks.

Deepen the regulation of platforms

According to the report, the war in Ukraine and the disappearance of the media Russia Today and Sputnik from major European platforms has "

" of Russia, blamed for its interference in previous polls in the Western world, and destabilization strategies came this year from domestic players.

Read alsoWar in Ukraine: the ban on the media Russia Today hinders the influence of the Kremlin in Europe

"

", estimates Iris Boyer, co-director of the study and secretary general of the 'ISD France.

Among the avenues for reflection, the report recommends deepening the regulation of large platforms and improving the analytical capacity of broadcast groups on messaging applications, including Telegram, for researchers.