French President Macron calls on media to ‘stop making excuses’ over fake news

BYLINE: November 08, 2020 12:20:35France’s President Emmanuel Macron says he’s concerned about fake news on social media and believes it can damage public trust in institutions.

Macron made the comments during a speech to the National Assembly on Thursday.

He also said he would take action against news outlets that publish fake news and “stop making excuse after excuse” to cover up their mistakes.

“We will be vigilant about this,” he said.

Macron was speaking as France faces a wave of protests against a corruption probe that he said could expose more than 200 members of his cabinet, who have been accused of taking bribes to cover their tracks.

Macron, who has been in office since January, was elected in May on a platform of fighting corruption and boosting the French economy.

He took office in 2017 with a mandate to reform the country’s bloated economy and overhaul ailing institutions, while pledging to put an end to the rise in crime, unemployment and the countrys highest unemployment rate.

Macron’s election came just days after he was sworn in as president.

In a speech at the start of the legislative session, Macron said the new government was being created with “a new vision, a new outlook” on the country.

“I’m very optimistic,” he told lawmakers.

“The path is clear and we’re on the way.”