EU Prohibits Dissemination of Four Russian News Organizations
Targeted media outlets and their staff can engage in activities other than broadcasting, such as research and interviews.
The European Union announced on May 17 that it was halting the dissemination of four Russia-linked media outlets within the EU, despite warnings from Moscow of swift retaliation if such action was taken.
The Council of the EU, the legislative body of the 27-nation bloc, prohibited four Russian-linked news media outlets, including Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta, for their dissemination of propaganda related to the invasion of Ukraine and misinformation about the upcoming EU parliamentary elections.
The council’s statement clarified that these media outlets are either directly or indirectly controlled by the leadership of Russia and have played a significant role in supporting Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and destabilizing neighboring countries.
According to the statement, the disinformation and manipulation efforts have not only targeted Ukraine and European political parties but also various groups within the EU and its member states, including civil society, asylum seekers, Russian ethnic minorities, and gender minorities.
The sanctions imposed by the council only prohibit broadcasting in the EU, allowing the targeted media outlets and their staff to continue with other activities like research and interviews.
On the same day, the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, expressed support for the sanctions, emphasizing that they do not infringe on freedom of opinion and include protections for freedom of expression and journalistic activities.
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Article 11 affirms that “everyone has the right to freedom of expression,” and it upholds the freedom and diversity of the media. It also guarantees the right to express opinions and receive and share information and ideas without interference, regardless of borders.
The sanctions will remain in place until Russia’s aggression against Ukraine ceases, and until the Russian Federation and its affiliated media outlets stop engaging in propaganda against the EU and its member states, as outlined in the regulation.
This move is part of the planned 14th package of sanctions against Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Previously, the EU had imposed sanctions on Russian state-owned media outlets like Russia Today and Sputnik.
Despite warnings from Russian officials, including Maria Zakharova of the Foreign Ministry, about potential retaliation, the EU proceeded with the sanctions. In an interview with Izvestia, the head of the international department of the Russian Union of Journalists criticized the ban as “unlawful” and argued that it should have been subject to judicial review.
Belgium has been investigating suspected Russian interference in Europe-wide elections, while the Czech government has taken action against individuals involved in a pro-Russian influence operation.
Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
