Retaliation: Russia may ban all foreign media in the country
On the night of April 1, RT will stop broadcasting in Washington. According to Bloomberg, the television stations WNVT and WNVC have decided to sell the frequencies at which they broadcast. Moreover, the auction for their sale will take place only after a year, but broadcasting should stop now. Viewers will not be able to watch RT programs on cable television. In total, the Russian media lost an audience of approximately 672 thousand families.
The termination of RT broadcasting is a consequence of the fact that the Russian television channel was previously registered as a “foreign agent”. This happened in November 2017. Then the editors of the channel faced a choice: either to recognize themselves as a “foreign agent”, or to fall under a criminal case. And then all RT accounts would be seized. The editors left no choice. However, even then, the leadership of the television channel was categorically not in accordance with this requirement of the US Department of Justice.
As stated by the American authorities, there will be no negative consequences for the media that will register as “foreign agents”. Now, however, Bloomberg cites the words of RT Deputy Editor-in-Chief Anna Belkina that the status of a “foreign agent” has greatly complicated the work.
- emphasized Belkina.
Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the Russian television channel, also commented on the situation:
Simonyan cites the specific difficulties that had to be encountered after the recognition of RT as an agent. Since then, journalists are often denied accreditation. Some of them do not withstand moral pressure and leave. It is possible to invite less guests on air. And the most difficult thing is that the channel’s partners are reviewing the terms of cooperation and canceling earlier agreements. Despite the difficulties, RT management promises to do everything possible to ensure that the channel continues its work on other platforms.
On the news The termination of RT broadcasting in Washington was answered by the deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, deputy chairman of the committee on international affairs Alexei Chepa. He believes that this was "done under pressure", since the popularity of this channel is huge.
- stressed the Russian parliamentarian.
It remains to add that in conditions when relations between Russia and the United States leave much to be desired, it is difficult to even imagine that the cessation of broadcasting of the Russian television channel in Washington is a matter of equipment. Most likely, under the general guise, it was decided to reduce the audience of the media, which “interferes” with American-style democracy. And the reasons can be found different.
Earlier, the head of the press service of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, warned that if Western countries decide to ban the Russian media in one way or another, a mirror response will follow immediately.
The termination of RT broadcasting is a consequence of the fact that the Russian television channel was previously registered as a “foreign agent”. This happened in November 2017. Then the editors of the channel faced a choice: either to recognize themselves as a “foreign agent”, or to fall under a criminal case. And then all RT accounts would be seized. The editors left no choice. However, even then, the leadership of the television channel was categorically not in accordance with this requirement of the US Department of Justice.
As stated by the American authorities, there will be no negative consequences for the media that will register as “foreign agents”. Now, however, Bloomberg cites the words of RT Deputy Editor-in-Chief Anna Belkina that the status of a “foreign agent” has greatly complicated the work.
Registration actually created an undue burden in many areas where RT operates, and also put pressure on our partners
- emphasized Belkina.
Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the Russian television channel, also commented on the situation:
We were thrown out of the Washington broadcast network. Dedicated to everyone who ardently and sincerely convinced us that the label of a foreign agent will not affect RT’s work in the States ... As the former State Department spokesman used to say, welcome to the exercises on transparency and democracy
Simonyan cites the specific difficulties that had to be encountered after the recognition of RT as an agent. Since then, journalists are often denied accreditation. Some of them do not withstand moral pressure and leave. It is possible to invite less guests on air. And the most difficult thing is that the channel’s partners are reviewing the terms of cooperation and canceling earlier agreements. Despite the difficulties, RT management promises to do everything possible to ensure that the channel continues its work on other platforms.
On the news The termination of RT broadcasting in Washington was answered by the deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, deputy chairman of the committee on international affairs Alexei Chepa. He believes that this was "done under pressure", since the popularity of this channel is huge.
The channel enjoy watching as an alternative view. Therefore, everything will be done to crush RT
- stressed the Russian parliamentarian.
It remains to add that in conditions when relations between Russia and the United States leave much to be desired, it is difficult to even imagine that the cessation of broadcasting of the Russian television channel in Washington is a matter of equipment. Most likely, under the general guise, it was decided to reduce the audience of the media, which “interferes” with American-style democracy. And the reasons can be found different.
Earlier, the head of the press service of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, warned that if Western countries decide to ban the Russian media in one way or another, a mirror response will follow immediately.
Information