DISINFO: New US sanctions against Russian media and RT are an attack on freedom of speech
SUMMARY
The new US sanctions against Russian media are an attack on freedom of speech, such actions are completely unjustified. The situation is extraordinary. Russian journalists were subjected to aggression in the US. They were subjected to a real terrorist information attack.
In addition to the monstrous, completely unjustified political statements that have been made from Washington regarding the media, there is also physical aggression against journalists. The new US sanctions are like an attack on the profession of a journalist, and therefore - an attack on human dignity.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the US violating freedom of speech and press.
The statement was made in the context of the new sanctions, the US has announced against the Russian state outlet RT, accusing it of being a "de facto arm of Russia's intelligence apparatus". The US State Department has tightened the RT media group's and its subsidiaries' operating conditions, defining their status as "foreign missions." As the US State Secretary stated: "the Russian government has "embedded within RT, a unit with cyber operational capabilities and ties to Russian intelligence".
The US had already indicted two RT employees for attempting to interfere in this year's presidential election.
The US Department of Justice has convincingly argued that the sanctioned individuals and entities were part of a massive scheme to interfere in the 2024 election in the US in support of one of the candidates perceived as more favourable to the Kremlin’s interests. The affidavit included evidence, such as the arguments and bullet points to be promoted via social media and other channels such as US influencers recruited as agents of influence, attacking the current US administration and promoting its rival party.
Still, US officials said the Russian state broadcaster played a bigger role in Russia's efforts to undermine democracies. As the State Department said: 'RT moved beyond being simply a media outlet and has been an entity with cyber capabilities. It is also engaged in information operations, covert influence, and military procurement. These operations target countries around the world, including Europe, Africa, and North and South America.'
Russian interference attempts in the 2024 election, which according to US officials included novel techniques, have been also widely documented by independent analysts, cybersecurity experts and tech firms. See also our article Kremlin disinformation targets US elections.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that sanctions on Russian media show the US is allergic to freedom of expression; that the Totalitarian West imposes a monopoly on media, culture, communication, that RT and Sputnik were shut down because they told the Western audiences the truth, that there is no press freedom in the West, or that in America today, freedom of speech can only be exercised in narrow and controlled channels.