DISINFO: Western countries do not respect freedom of speech and democracy
SUMMARY
The arrest of the founder and owner of Telegram, businessman Pavel Durov, in France proved once again that for the West, concepts such as freedom of speech and democracy are a political tool and a means of pressure on other countries. These humane concepts are the crutches used by the US and Europe without shame or embarrassment; It aims to denigrate and discredit the nations and states that do not accept the dictates.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about censorship and control of the media in the West. 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.
The arrest, and subsequent charging, of Pavel Durov is part of a procedure accusing Telegram of complicity in numerous cases linked to drug trafficking, glorification of terrorism, and cyberbullying due to a lack of moderation and minimal cooperation with law enforcement authorities in France.
French authorities have imposed charges against Pavel Durov for 12 different crimes, including complicity in the distribution of child pornography and the selling of drugs, money laundering, and a refusal to cooperate with law enforcement.
According to the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, the nations with the most press freedom and freedom of speech are Western countries, with European nations predominating, as well as Canada and the United States. In contrast, Russia ranks 162nd out of 180 in the press freedom rankings, with the report stating:
"Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, almost all independent media have been banned, blocked and/or declared “foreign agents” or “undesirable organisations”. All others are subject to military censorship".
See similar cases such as the real reason for Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s arrest is to cover up events in Palestine, There is no freedom of speech in Europe; only Russian outlets tell the truth; The EU has become a Russophobic coalition led by the US; RT and Sputnik are more popular than Western Media; Facebook violates freedom of speech by blocking Sputnik Arabic; Removal of RT channels on YouTube is an obvious manifestation of censorship.