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The Council of the European Union announced today the suspension of broadcasting activities within the EU for four additional Russian media outlets: Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta. These outlets have been identified as key players in disseminating Russian propaganda and supporting the ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.
“These media outlets are under the permanent direct or indirect control of the leadership of the Russian Federation, and have been essential and instrumental in bringing forward and supporting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and for the destabilisation of its neighbouring countries,” stated the Council’s press release.
The suspension aligns with the EU’s commitment to uphold the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Consequently, while these outlets are banned from broadcasting, their staff will still be permitted to conduct non-broadcast activities within the EU, such as research and interviews.
The decision underscores the EU’s response to a systematic, international campaign by the Russian Federation involving media and information manipulation. This campaign has been described as an effort to justify and support Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine and to further its strategy of destabilizing neighboring countries, the EU, and its member states. The targeted activities have notably included propaganda, manipulation, and interference, consistently directed at undermining Ukrainian authorities and citizens, European political processes, and various societal groups including civil society, asylum seekers, and minorities.
In March 2024, the European Council reiterated its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders, emphasizing Ukraine’s right to self-defense against Russian aggression. The Council’s conclusions called for intensified measures to weaken Russia’s capacity to wage war, including the bolstering of sanctions against Moscow.
The EU’s latest move to curb the spread of Russian disinformation highlights the ongoing commitment to counteract external threats to democratic institutions and societal stability within the region.
