Russia accuses the U.S. of waging war on free speech through sanctions on RT and Russian media outlets.
At a Glance
- The US has imposed new sanctions on RT and Russian news outlets.
- Maria Zakharova claims these sanctions are a declaration of war on free speech.
- Antony Blinken accused RT of covert influence activities for Russian intelligence.
- Zakharova described the sanctions as unprecedented and promised retaliation.
US Implements New Sanctions on Russian Media
The United States has imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia’s state-funded media network RT and its affiliates. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described RT as engaging in “covert influence activities” and functioning as a “de facto arm of Russian intelligence.” These measures aim to curb RT’s purported role in disseminating propaganda and meddling in the information landscape.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned these actions as a war on free speech. She called the sanctions “unprecedented repressions” and vowed a response from Moscow. Zakharova dismissed the accusations against RT as a “witch-hunt” and “spy-o-mania” aimed at manipulating public opinion and controlling the global information space.
Blinken’s Critique of Russian Media
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been vocal about RT’s alleged covert operations. He declared that RT serves as a tool for Russian intelligence, working to undermine democracies around the globe. “The actions we are exposing today… do not incorporate the full scope of Russia’s effort to undermine democracies,” Blinken said, indicating broader implications beyond just sanctions.
“Russian disinformation to subvert and polarize freedom-loving societies extends to every part of the world.” Blinken suggested that RT’s unchecked reach poses a significant threat to free societies everywhere.
Moscow says that the US crackdown on Russian media amounts to a declaration of war on free speech and vows a response to the new sanctions against RThttps://t.co/MFReCeIXt3 pic.twitter.com/VrVPNNdOkk
— RT (@RT_com) September 15, 2024
Russia’s Defensive Stand
Zakharova has not held back in her denunciation of the sanctions. She deems the United States’ actions as “terrorist and information attacks” against Russian journalists. As part of the promised retaliation, Zakharova warned of harsh measures that will make “everyone shudder.”
Maria Zakharova stated, “The US has declared war on freedom of speech throughout the world, turning to open threats and blackmail against other states in an effort to set them against the domestic media and establish sole control over the global information space.”
Zakharova accused the U.S. of maintaining a “myth of its own exclusivity” by suppressing alternative viewpoints from Russian media.
Election Interference Allegations
Earlier sanctions targeted RT’s Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan and other senior RT employees, accusing them of attempting to influence the upcoming US presidential election. The US alleges that two other RT staff members funneled $10 million to a Tennessee-based company to shape American public opinion covertly. Russia has responded by insisting these accusations lack concrete evidence.
Maria Zakharova also pointed out that these actions are part of a larger information campaign ahead of the U.S. electoral cycle.
“It is an obvious operation, an information campaign … that was long prepared and that is needed ahead of the last stage of the electoral cycle,” she stated.
In a world that increasingly relies on information dissemination, these developments have escalated tensions between the US and Russia. Both sides claim legitimacy in their actions, with each accusing the other of trying to manipulate global narratives to their benefit.
Sources:
- Russia Will Restrict U.S. Media Outlets Over RT Sanctions, Kremlin Says
- US media merged with intelligence services long ago – RT editor-in-chief
