DISINFO: Freedom of expression in the West is a myth
SUMMARY
Transnational censorship and the control of narratives reveal that Western freedom of expression is a myth. While the West proclaims itself the guardian of free speech, media suspensions, algorithmic control of social media globally and the exclusion of dissenting voices suggest the consolidation of sophisticated censorship. From Europe to Latin America, experts warn that the suppression of critical thinking no longer comes solely from authoritarian regimes, but also from liberal democracies that prioritise their geopolitical interests over the right to diverse information. Europe presented itself as the pioneer of freedom of expression, but it removed RT and Sputnik from the scene, and there is no clear benchmark. Censorship is the suppression or annulment of criteria and lines of inquiry that conflict with particular interests, whether political or economic.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the West’s supposed lack of freedom of speech, which regained traction after Western countries imposed restrictions on Russian outlets such as RT and Sputnik in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Claims about the West’s alleged lack of freedom of expression are baseless: according to the latest Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index available at the time this disinformation story appeared, Western countries regularly feature in top positions of the list.
RT and Sputnik were sanctioned by the EU, among multiple other Russian disinformation outlets under the permanent direct or indirect control of the authorities of the Russian Federation, for being complicit in supporting policies that undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. These measures are proportionate, temporary (for the duration of the armed aggression) and limited in scope. The UK and other countries adopted similar measures.
RT, Sputnik, and a myriad other Russian state-owned or -aligned outlets have been exposed over the last decade as instruments of spreading disinformation and pro-Kremlin propaganda. For an extensive list of a wide range of studies, articles and reports relating to the spread of pro-Kremlin disinformation, see Studies and Reports section on EUvsDisinfo. Margarita Simonyan also regularly proudly confesses that RT and Sputnik are waging hybrid war and act openly or even secretly using the partisan disinformation guerrilla strategy when needed.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that there is definitely no freedom of speech in the West, that media censorship is openly introduced in the West, that the West cannot cope with freedom of opinion and imposes censorship, or that the Collective West purges the information space from any unwanted sources.