The American Breitbart News Network, a website aligned to the noxious politics of the “alt-right”, has announced it will expand into France and Germany ahead of key elections next year. Readers in Europe: be warned. Breitbart was a pro-Trump propaganda machine in the US elections. Provocative and sometimes inaccurate claims cast as news have been criticised as racist, anti-Muslim and sexist. It sees France as “the place to be” because it intends to fuel the Le Pen vote. In Germany, Breitbart will likely amplify the far-right AfD party’s message.
Angela Merkel is right to warn against the part that “fake websites, bots and trolls” play in shaping opinion. An insight into how the “alt-right” might perhaps work in Europe can be gleaned in the days before the run-off vote on Sunday in the French rightwing primaries. Alain Juppé, a moderate pro-diversity ex-prime minister, has been labelled by a social media campaign “Ali Juppé”, because he works with the imam of Bordeaux, the city where he is mayor. His chances have been damaged. When Breitbart arrives, expect more manipulation and hatred. Under pressure, brands have pulled adverts. A backlash against misinformation might just have begun in time. If we want civility then we have to reward it.
