The EU suspends the broadcasts of four other Russian media for spreading Kremlin propaganda

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BRUSSELS, May 17. () –

The European Union adopted this Friday the suspension of the broadcasting activities of four other Russian media outlets, understanding that they are “decisive” for the Kremlin’s propaganda in the context of the military aggression against Ukraine.

The 27 sanctions ‘Voice of Europe’, ‘RIA Novosti’, ‘Izvestia’ and ‘Rossiyskaya Gazeta’ for spreading and supporting Russian propaganda. “These media outlets are under the permanent control, direct or indirect, of Russia’s leadership and have been essential and decisive in promoting and supporting the war of aggression against Ukraine,” the EU Council said in a statement.

This step follows the agreement reached this Wednesday at the level of the bloc’s ambassadors, which began the process of adopting sanctions in writing.

These measures are in addition to those already approved in March 2022 against Russian media outlets responsible for spreading propaganda and disinformation related to the war in Ukraine. Then it suspended the broadcasts of the Russian agency Sputnik and the Russia Today television channel, alleging that they were instruments used by the Kremlin in the context of the invasion against the neighboring country.

The measures have been applauded by the European Commission, which sees them as necessary given the role of these four media in “support and justification” of the Russian aggression in Ukraine and in the midst of a wave of “continuous and concerted actions of propaganda and manipulation of the information” from Russia that target European societies.

“These propaganda actions have been channeled through a series of media outlets under the permanent control, direct or indirect, of the Russian leadership. These actions constitute a significant and direct threat to public order and the security of the Union,” has pointed out.

In this sense, it considers these sanctions a “strong” response to the “intensified” risk that Russian interference represents for the integrity of the European elections in June.

In any case, the European Executive recalls that the sanctions are not directed against freedom of opinion and include measures to safeguard journalistic activities. “The measures do not prevent the sanctioned media and their staff from carrying out other activities in the Union other than broadcasting, such as investigations and interviews,” it notes.