In a significant escalation of the ongoing media tensions between Russia and the United States, the Kremlin has condemned Meta’s recent decision to ban Russian state media outlets, including RT and Rossiya Segodnya, from its platforms.
The ban, which was announced by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, has been labelled “unacceptable” by Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Meta’s decision to block these Russian media outlets comes amid increasing scrutiny over foreign interference and disinformation activities. The social media giant has accused these outlets of engaging in deceptive influence operations designed to avoid detection.
The ban, which will be enforced globally across Meta’s platforms, is part of a broader effort by the company to curb the spread of Russian state-controlled media, a move that has been in progress since 2022.
Peskov’s remarks reflect Moscow’s deep dissatisfaction with the action taken by Meta. He described the decision as an affront to journalistic integrity and a further complication in the already strained relations between Russia and the tech giant.
“Meta has discredited itself by taking these actions,” Peskov said. “Such selective measures against Russian media are unacceptable.” He added that this move undermines the prospects for normalising relations between Moscow and Meta, highlighting the growing chasm between Russia and Western tech platforms.
The ban affects RT, a prominent Russian state broadcaster, which previously had substantial followings on Meta’s platforms, with 7.2 million Facebook followers and 1 million Instagram followers.
The decision to block these outlets comes in the wake of recent allegations from the US accusing RT and its associated entities of involvement in covert operations aimed at influencing global audiences. This includes accusations that RT was engaged in activities designed to impact the 2024 US presidential election.
The US State Department has been vocal about its concerns regarding RT’s activities. On Friday, the State Department imposed additional sanctions on RT, accusing it of being involved in “information operations, covert influence, and military procurement.”
These sanctions were further underscored by the US Treasury’s recent decision to impose restrictions on RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan and other senior Russian media officials.
The enforcement of these sanctions and the subsequent Meta ban underscore the escalating efforts by the US and its allies to address perceived threats from Russian media.
The US government has characterised RT’s activities as part of a broader pattern of disinformation and propaganda, labelling it as a channel that spreads lies to millions globally.
Meta’s action has sparked a significant backlash from Moscow, which views the ban as part of a larger campaign against Russian media. The Kremlin's response indicates a broader frustration with the actions taken by Western countries and tech companies against Russian state-controlled entities.
This confrontation is part of a wider geopolitical struggle over information control and media freedom, reflecting the tensions between Russia and the West.
As Meta continues to implement its ban, the implications for global media landscapes and international relations remain significant. The decision has drawn criticism not only from Russian officials but also from observers concerned about the growing influence of tech companies over global information flows.
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