RT France

RT France, also known as RT en français, was the French version of the Russian state-controlled news channel RT. The channel was based in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt and was funded by the Russian government.

Similar to other RT channels, the accuracy and objectivity of RT France's information was regularly questioned.

RT revealed in late 2015 it was planning to develop a network for the French-speaking audience in countries such as France, Belgium and Switzerland. The channel was launched on December 18, 2017, broadcasting in France, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland and the Mediterranean.

RT France to close in 2023

The channel, like other RT channels, cycled around 30 minutes of news and 30 minutes of other features, 24/7, and was able to provide rolling coverage on breaking news events when warranted.

Following the beginning of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, RT France's activities were banned in the European Union and in Canada. However, the channel continued to broadcast online and via the Russian satellite Ekspress AM8, which covers EMEA countries.

On 8 March 2022, RT France challenged the EU ban of its activities in the General Court of the Court of Justice of the European Union. After refusing to "urgently" consider the case on 30 March, the General Court dismissed the case on 27 July 2022, ruling that the ban against RT was justified.

In January 2023, following the freezing of their bank accounts by the Direction générale du Trésor, its president Xenia Fedorova announced the closure of the French branch of the channel.