DISINFO: EU resolution on the Russian media testifies to degradation of the democracy idea in Western society
SUMMARY
The situation of the Russian media in the West has become more and more complicated in recent years. In November 2016, the European Parliament adopted a resolution stating the need to counter the Russian media, with Sputnik and RT being named as the main threats in the document. This document testifies to the obvious degradation of ideas about democracy in Western society.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about discrimination against Russian media in the West.
Indeed, in November 2016, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on EU strategic communication to counteract propaganda against it by third parties. Analysing Russian strategic communication, its ideas, tools and narratives the EU notes that media such as RT and Sputnik pose a threat. Read more here.
RT (Russia Today) and Sputnik are the two flagships of Russia’s campaign to influence international public opinion with disinformation and manipulation. Both outlets present themselves as media providing alternative views to the mainstream in international news reporting. Read our analysis describing three fundamental differences between these outlets and what is normally perceived as independent journalism.
In the “Freedom in the World” ranking (by Freedom House) the EU countries were evaluated as free countries. Russia belongs to the group of non-free countries.
The 2021 World Press Freedom Index ranks Russia on the 150th place (the higher the index number, the lower the press freedom).
More background information:
Facebook has removed hundreds of pages, groups, and accounts on its Facebook and Instagram platforms linked to Sputnik. According to Facebook, they were part of two online disinformation operations targeting users across the former Soviet space.
See other cases in our database claiming that Sputnik delivers high-quality journalism, unlike other media; RT is the voice of truth; Western Media are losing their positions, while RT and Sputnik are more popular; It is rather nice for a journalist to work in Russia, unlike in Europe; Russia is the global champion of free speech.