Russia to target German media in response to German ban on RT

Issued on: 02/02/2022 – 19:30

“This step leaves us no choice other than to start implementing retaliatory measures against German media accredited in Russia,” the ministry said in a statement. 

It added that similar measures will be taken against “internet-intermediaries” that have deleted the channel from their platforms, in an apparent reference to IT giant YouTube.

“The verdict of the German media regulator is an unambiguous sign that Russian concerns were demonstrably ignored,” the statement said. 

Germany’s broadcasting regulator on Wednesday announced that it was banning the transmission of the channel “RT DE” over the lack of a broadcasting licence. 

The broadcaster was blocked from Europe’s satellite network on December 22 at the request of German authorities, less than a week after going on air, but was still available over the internet and via a mobile app.

In response to the earlier decision, RT DE said its suspension was “illegal” and the result of political pressure from Berlin, at a time of diplomatic tensions between Germany and Russia.

YouTube in December had blocked a new RT channel after removing the network’s German channels RT DE and Der Fehlende Part earlier last year.

Launched in 2005 as “Russia Today”, state-funded RT has expanded with channels and websites in languages including English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

It has been accused by Western countries of distributing disinformation and Kremlin-friendly propaganda.

The channel has been banned in several countries, including the ex-Soviet republics of Lithuania and Latvia.

(AFP)