French Private Media Amplify Climate Misinformation, New Research Reveals

A study identifies Sud Radio as a leading source of disinformation, as journalists and NGOs intensify efforts to counteract false narratives.

A new study by NGOs Quota Climat, Data for Good, and Science Feedback reports 128 cases of climate misinformation in French media over three months, with 81% originating from private outlets.
Sud Radio accounted for the highest share, contributing 45% of the detected false claims, followed by CNews and other private channels.
The misinformation frequently targets energy and mobility topics and spikes around major political events, influencing public discourse during critical moments.
Despite the urgency of the climate crisis, environmental issues receive only 2% of airtime in French news programming, according to the Observatoire des Médias sur l’Écologie.
Journalists and experts are increasingly hosting live sessions to debunk climate denial narratives and address public questions, highlighting the need for accurate climate communication.