DISINFO: RT and Sputnik were shut down because they told the Western audiences the truth
SUMMARY
Multiple Western governments have closed down or otherwise blocked access to RT and Sputnik because these outlets were guilty of telling their audiences the truth.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about sanctions, falsely alleging discrimination against Russian media in the West.
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. (see for example here, here, or here. 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).
Following Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine, The EU has suspended the broadcasting activities and licenses of multiple Russian disinformation outlets under the permanent direct or indirect control of the authorities of the Russian Federation that were complicit in supporting policies that undermine sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. These measures are proportionate, temporary (for the duration of the armed agression) and limited in scope.
Following the appeal of RT France in 2022, The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has examined the decision of broadcast ban decided in favour of the European Council, which imposed the sanctions.
Accusations of censorship and attacks against freedom of expression are a recurring pro-Kremlin technique to defend the illicit actions of Russia’s state-sponsored disinformation outlets after Western authorities adopted measures against them. Claims of “interference” are also frequently raised to deflect any criticism of Russian authorities by international media.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that Washington and Brussels implement an information war against the people of Russia and Belarus, that RT and Sputnik are repeatedly accused without evidence and that Western media suppress all facts and opinions that differ from official narratives. See here for further debunking by POLYGRAPH.info.