Disinformation is no longer an obscure phenomenon on social networks, and as artificial intelligence tools become more advanced, some videos are now able to almost perfectly mimic the style of mainstream media.

This advancement brings new challenges for politicians, digital platforms, and citizens, especially when these contents directly threaten democratic stability…

A viral fake news video mimicking news channel formats

The controversy began with a video posted on December 10 on Facebook, created using artificial intelligence, which mimics the look of a 24-hour news channel.

The video features a reporter, microphone in hand, standing in front of a tense crowd during an agricultural crisis, reporting a supposed coup d’état in France. It describes an anonymous colonel seizing power and the potential downfall of President Emmanuel Macron.

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Despite its fictional nature, the video went viral, amassing about 12 to 13 million views. Its widespread reach even crossed French borders, causing concern among foreign officials. Emmanuel Macron mentioned receiving a worried message from an African leader, who believed that the French political landscape had just shifted dramatically.

Facebook’s refusal to remove the video

Alerted by this spread, the President of the Republic stated that he had requested the removal of the content from Facebook. French teams also engaged the platform Pharos, dedicated to reporting illicit content. However, the social network’s response was negative: according to Facebook, the video did not violate its usage policies.

This stance sharply triggered Macron, who during a public conversation with readers of the newspaper La Provence, criticized the platform’s attitude, arguing that such content jeopardizes the tranquility of public debate. The President also highlighted a discrepancy between the actual impact of these videos and how major digital platforms perceive them.

Political concerns ahead of upcoming electoral milestones

Beyond this specific incident, the executive branch is concerned about the environment in which these false informations proliferate. Indeed, the upcoming local elections in March, followed by the presidential election in 2027, are prime times for manipulation attempts. For now, the Élysée claims not to have identified, at this stage, the creators of the video or their possible foreign origin.

For Emmanuel Macron, this case highlights the current limitations of social network regulation, as even at the highest level of the state, the leeway against platforms remains limited…