The government has decided to remove the "disinfox coronavirus" service from its website, which listed "fact-checking" articles from certain media. Many journalists were worried about this initiative. Sibeth Ndiaye replied to them on Europe 1 on Friday.

The service "Désinfox coronavirus", set up by the government before being quickly removed in the face of criticism, "unfortunately was misunderstood," said his spokesman Sibeth Ndiaye on Friday.

>> LIVE -  Coronavirus: follow the evolution of the situation on Friday 8 May

"When you hear in videos that you have to drink bleach to be able to cure coronavirus, it is normal that the government wants to ensure that the maximum amount of safe and verified information is made available. was the only goal we were looking for. Unfortunately it was misunderstood, "she said on Europe 1.

"In no case was it a question of sorting out the good grain and the tares in the media"

The service "Désinfox coronavirus" listed on the government site articles on the Covid-19 from factchecking services of franceinfo, Liberation, 20 Minutes, Le Monde and Agence France-Presse. He was abolished on May 5 in the face of strong reactions he aroused in journalists, many accusing him of standing up as an information arbiter and of undermining press freedom. "I understand that there was a misunderstanding on our intention, but in no case was it a question of sorting out the good grain and the tares in the media, it is not the role of the government" , insisted Ms. Ndiaye, assuring that the journalists of these factchecking sections "had been warned".

CORONAVIRUS ESSENTIALS

> Partial unemployment: the parents' situation clarified

> A new inflammatory disease affecting children linked to the coronavirus?

> What will shopping be like after May 11?

> The French will have to go on vacation near their home

> Why going to the hairdresser will cost more after confinement

Luc Bronner, managing editor of Le Monde, said that his newspaper had not been consulted beforehand and would have "refused this type of approach". Ndiaye also assured Friday that the government had shown "full transparency" since the start of the coronavirus crisis and said it regretted the polls showing the strong distrust of the French vis-à-vis the executive.

>> Find all of Europe 1's editorial newspapers in replay and podcast here