Election security

BBC Claims ‘Great Meme War’ Could Swing French Election for Le Pen

The BBC has run a series of online and radio segments claiming the “great meme war has travelled to France”, implying Internet jokes could swing the French election for the Front National as the broadcaster alleges they did for Trump and Brexit in the UK and U.S.

“A group of anonymous keyboard warriors who claim they helped Donald Trump win his presidency have moved their fight to Europe and are trying to help elect a right-wing leader for France,” the radio programme’s description reads.

“In 2016 politically and racially charged memes and symbols started spreading from U.S. and UK accounts,” opens the accompanying video on BBC Trending’s Facebook page.

“Far right activists claim the results of the U.S. presidential elections demonstrated their influence,” the film says.