DISINFO: Sanctions on Russian media show the US is allergic to freedom of expression
SUMMARY
Sanctions announced by the US on Russian media are an insult to the right of US citizens to freedom of information, a fact that highlights that the US government is allergic to freedom of expression. This is really nothing more than a blatant attack on the very vision of freedom of speech and freedom of the press that American people actually once fought and died for.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative framing Russia’s election meddling as “freedom of speech”.
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.
Russian interference attempts in the 2024 election, which according to US officials included novel techniques, has 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 Totalitarian West imposes 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.