Information manipulation: understanding and acting to preserve democracy

Published on 19 March 2026

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    "We seek to identify what characterizes the intentional and artificial manipulation of information and the resulting disruption of democratic debate." (Martin Ajdari, President of Arcom)

    In an information environment marked by the massive circulation of content and the weakening of reference points, the manipulation of information is a central issue for democratic debate.

    Faced with these developments, Arcom analyzes the mechanisms of disinformation, monitors the practices of platforms and contributes to public awareness raising.

    The Authority is proposing a series of events combining public debate and knowledge production, with :

    • the organization of a round-table discussion bringing together researchers, journalists and practitioners;
    • the publication of two complementary contributions: a study on French people's susceptibility to misinformation, and an assessment of information manipulation on online platforms.

    A round-table discussion for enlightenment and debate

    Organizedas part of the 37th Press and Media Week in Schools (SPME), this meeting brings together journalists, researchers and media professionals to discuss the challenges of information manipulation.

    The aim is to illustrate possible responses in concrete terms, notably through :

    • the role of social ties and proximity in information trust ;
    • journalistic practices ;
    • media literacy and digital citizenship initiatives.

    Two publications shed light on the challenges ahead

    The French and fake news

    In the digital age, the rapid diffusion of information is both a transformative force and a major challenge. False information has become a global issue with profound implications for democracy, public health and social cohesion.

    The aim of the study is to test French people's permeability to false information:

    • according to the profile of respondents ;
    • according to the conditions of reception ;
    • according to the characteristics of the information.

    97% of French people say they are exposed to false information (70% think they have already been exposed once a week) and 80% of French people consider it essential to fight agains false information.

    Browse the study

    2026 report on the fight against information manipulation

    Every year, Arcom draws up an assessment of the means and measures implemented by the very large online platforms and search engines (TGPL-TGMR) to fight agains information manipulation on their services, in coordination with the European Commission and within the framework of the European Digital Services Regulation (DSR).

    In its 2026 review, the Authority examined the following TGPL-TGMRs: Facebook and Instagram (Meta), Google Search, YouTube, Microsoft Bing, LinkedIn, X, TikTok, Snapchat and Wikipedia.

    It makes a series of notices aimed at strengthening the prevention, detection and mitigation of these prohibited practices and behaviors to fight agains the risks of online information manipulation in the RSN manager:

    • amplify the operationalization of the RSN and its tools;
    • set up survival funding mechanisms to support the work of research and fact-checkers;
    • structure national cooperation to strengthen collective mobilization in the face of online information manipulation;
    • strengthening and extending media, information and digital literacy initiatives to new networks and audiences.
    Browse the report

    Awareness-raising as part of Press and Media Week in Schools (SPME)

    Because the fight against the manipulation of information also relies on everyone's ability to understand and analyze content, Arcom is deploying a range of media education and digital literacy initiatives as part of Press and Media Week in Schools (SPME).

    From Paris to Tarbes, via Vic-en-Bigorre and Lille, members of the college are taking part in a number of schools:

    • Tuesday March 24: Laurence Pécaut-Rivolier - presentation to a class of 1ère students at Lycée EIB Étoile (Paris) ;
    • Thursday March 26: Benoît Loutrel - talk at Lycée agricole Jean Monnet (Vic-en-Bigorre)
    • Friday March 27: Benoît Loutrel - at Lycée Marie Curie (Tarbes);
    • Friday April 3, Catherine Jentile de Canecaude - presentation to a class of 6è and a class of 2nde at Lycée Blanche de Castille (Versailles);

    Arcom also welcomes pupils and students:

    • Monday March 23: BTS Audiovisuel students from Lycée Suger (Saint-Denis) - talk on freedom of expression
    • Thursday March 26: students from Lycée Uruguay - presentation on media representations
    • Friday March 27: BTS Electronics students from Lycée Paul Eluard (Saint-Denis) - presentation on political plurality
    • Thursday April 2: webinar for teachers on the manipulation of information and the role of Arcom

    Presentations at local Arcom events:

    • Tuesday March 24: presentation by Pierre-José Chadaigne, General Secretary ofArcom Clermont-Ferrand, in Cérilly, of Arcom's role and missions in protecting person under 18 online.
    • Tuesday March 24: presentation of Arcom's role and missions in the field of freedom of expression by Caroline Demont, General Secretary ofArcom Dijon, in Nevers.
    • Tuesday March 24: presentation of Arcom's role and missions with regard to the representation of women in the media by Nathalie Pinoli, General Secretary ofArcom Lille.
    • Friday March 27: Presentation of Arcom's role and missions by Karine Logereau, General Secretary ofArcom Poitiers.

    These presentations contribute to Arcom's mission to promote media literacy and digital citizenship (EMI&CN). They also strengthen the understanding of our missions among schools and teachers, and feed our internal and external content (feedback, recurring questions, resources, etc.).

    Management and action: the role of Arcom

    In addition to raising awareness,Arcom works to ensure a more reliable information environment. Arcom intervenes on issues linked to theactivity of online platforms, particularly in terms of the fight against information manipulation or online hate: it ensures that platforms implement their reporting or moderation obligations in a transparent and balanced way.

    With regard to the fight against information manipulation, the 2018 law requires platforms to make a reporting scheme accessible and visible, and to deploy additional measures, for example in favor of the transparency of their algorithms.

    Further information

    Arcom provides EMI resources on these challenges

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