Moscow has banned Russians from accessing 81 Western media sites from 25 EU nations, accusing them of “systematically distributing inaccurate information” about Russia’s “special military operation” — the official name the Kremlin has given its invasion of Ukraine.*
To call the conflict in Ukraine a war or invasion is a criminal offense in Russia. Russia has already shut down most independent media operating within its borders as well as any that are critical of President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Tuesday’s move was in retaliation for a May decision by the EU to block what Brussels called four “Kremlin-linked propaganda networks,” including the Prague-based Voice of Europe, from broadcasting in Europe. Russia had criticized the EU decision, calling it “politically motivated.” Brussels said the move was to combat outlets “instrumental in bringing forward and supporting” Russia’s invasion.
French news agency AFP, Germany’s Der Spiegel, Spain’s El Pais, and state broadcasters from Austria, Ireland, and Italy were among the Western outlets blocked by the Kremlin. The news site Politico was also among those banned.
European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova blasted the move as “nonsense” in a post on the social media platform X. Moscow said it would be willing to reverse its decision if the EU ban on Russian outlets were lifted. “The Russian side has repeatedly warned at various levels that politically motivated harassment of domestic journalists and unjustified bans on Russian media in the EU area would not go unanswered,” the Foreign Ministry added.
Many Western outlets pulled staff out of Russia after its February 2022 invasion of neighboring Ukraine, fearing retaliation against employees when the Russian Duma passed blanket laws against “discrediting” the Russian armed forces. DW was banned within days of the invasion, with journalists being hurried out of the country.
Tuesday’s decision comes one day before the start of an espionage trial against US Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who denies that he has ever worked for the CIA. Gershkovich has spent the past year in detention.
Russia ranks 162 of 180 on the 2024 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index.
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