The measure targets in particular the RT television channel, close to the Kremlin and considered a propaganda organ, as well as “Rossiya Segodnya”.
The ban comes after US criticism of the Russian media outlets.
Last Friday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken denounced the destabilization activities of the Russian group Rossiya Segodnya, to which RT belongs, which has become, according to him, a veritable “branch” of Russian intelligence in the world and used to conduct destabilization and propaganda campaigns in Moldova, Argentina, France, Germany and even Africa.
<img data-format="MASTER_LANDSCAPE" data-id="69263480" data-url="https://static.dw.com/image/69263480_${formatId}.jpg" data-aspect-ratio="16/9" alt="Russia is accused by the West of being behind a major disinformation campaign in some countries” style=”padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; max-height: 0;”/>Russia is accused by the West of being behind a major disinformation campaign in some countriesImage: Michael Bihlmayer/CHROMORANGE/picture alliance
Threat to democracies
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“Russia’s use of disinformation as a weapon to subvert and polarize free and open societies extends to all parts of the world,” Anthony Blinken had estimated.
The US also accuses RT of funneling $10 million through fictitious entities to covertly fund influence campaigns on social media, including TikTok, Instagram, X and YouTube.
The Meta group did not remain indifferent to these various criticisms and therefore decided to react.
“Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps worldwide due to their foreign interference activities”Meta announced in a statement.
Meta said the ban would apply broadly to all of its platforms, including Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, with implementation expected in the coming days.
<img data-format="MASTER_LANDSCAPE" data-id="68160802" data-url="https://static.dw.com/image/68160802_${formatId}.jpg" data-aspect-ratio="16/9" alt="Facebook is now inaccessible to Russian media” style=”padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; max-height: 0;”/>Facebook is now inaccessible to Russian mediaImage: Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto/picture alliance
Moscow condemns
A ban that caused the Russian authorities to react.
““Such actions against Russian media are unacceptable.”Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov lambasted on Tuesday.
“Meta is discrediting itself with these actions. That is why we are extremely negative about this. This obviously complicates the prospects for normalizing our relations with Meta.“, Dmitry Peskov said again.
In the United States, RT is also accused of having financed an online content creation company, based in Tennessee, which has published, since the end of 2023, nearly 2,000 videos, viewed more than 16 million times on YouTube.
RT was forced to cease official operations in the UK, Canada, the European Union and the US due to sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Finally, Facebook and Instagram, widely used by opponents of the Kremlin, were banned in Russia in March 2022, shortly after the invasion of Ukraine, and their parent company Meta was classified as an “extremist” organization.
– What are the implications of Meta’s ban on Russian state-backed media outlets for global information integrity?
Meta Bans Russian State-Backed Media Outlets Amid Criticism and Concerns Over Disinformation
In a significant move, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has announced a blanket ban on Russian state-backed media outlets, including RT and Rossiya Segodnya, citing their involvement in foreign interference activities. This decision comes on the heels of US criticism of these media outlets, accusing them of spreading disinformation and propaganda campaigns worldwide.
The Targeted Media Outlets
The ban specifically targets RT, a television channel widely regarded as a propaganda organ of the Kremlin, and Rossiya Segodnya, a Russian state-backed media organization. The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, had previously denounced Rossiya Segodnya, stating that it had become a “branch” of Russian intelligence, used to conduct destabilization and propaganda campaigns in various countries, including Moldova, Argentina, France, Germany, and Africa.
Destabilization and Propaganda Campaigns
According to Blinken, Russia’s use of disinformation as a weapon to subvert and polarize free and open societies extends to all parts of the world. The US has accused RT of funneling $10 million through fictitious entities to covertly fund influence campaigns on social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
Meta’s Response
In response to these concerns, Meta has announced a comprehensive ban on Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and other related entities from its apps worldwide. The ban will be applicable to all Meta platforms, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, and is expected to be implemented in the coming days.
Moscow’s Reaction
The Russian authorities have vehemently condemned Meta’s decision, with Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that such actions against Russian media are unacceptable. Peskov further accused Meta of discrediting itself and complicating the prospects of normalizing relations with the company.
Threat to Democracies
The concerns surrounding Russia’s disinformation campaigns are far from unfounded. Russia has been accused by the West of being behind a major disinformation campaign in several countries, posing a significant threat to democratic institutions and the stability of open societies.
The Broader Context
The ban on Russian state-backed media outlets comes at a time when the world is grappling with the challenges of disinformation and propaganda in the digital age. The increasing reliance on social media platforms to disseminate information has created new avenues for state-sponsored disinformation campaigns to spread misinformation and manipulate public opinion.
Implications and Consequences
The implications of Meta’s ban on Russian state-backed media outlets are far-reaching. The move is likely to escalate tensions between Russia and the West, particularly the US, and may lead to retaliatory measures from Moscow. Moreover, the ban raises important questions about the role of social media companies in regulating the flow of information and ensuring the integrity of online discourse.
Conclusion
Meta’s ban on Russian state-backed media outlets is a significant step towards countering disinformation and propaganda campaigns. However, the move also highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges of disinformation in the digital age. As the world becomes increasingly dependent on social media platforms, it is essential to develop effective strategies to promote media literacy, fact-checking, and transparency, ensuring that online discourse remains a powerful tool for democratic expression and open communication.
How does Meta’s ban on Russian state-backed media outlets impact global information integrity?
Here is a comprehensive and SEO-optimized article on the topic:
Meta Bans Russian State-Backed Media Outlets: A Threat to Global Information Integrity
The Meta group has announced a ban on Russian state-backed media outlets, including RT and Rossiya Segodnya, citing foreign interference activities. This move comes after the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, condemned the destabilization activities of the Russian group Rossiya Segodnya, accusing them of being a veritable “branch” of Russian intelligence in the world.
Threat to Democracies
Russia has been accused by the West of being behind a major disinformation campaign in several countries, including Moldova, Argentina, France, Germany, and Africa. Anthony Blinken estimated that “Russia’s use of disinformation as a weapon to subvert and polarize free and open societies extends to all parts of the world.” The US also accuses RT of funneling $10 million through fictitious entities to covertly fund influence campaigns on social media, including TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
Meta’s Ban
In response to these criticisms, Meta has decided to ban RT, Rossiya Segodnya, and other related entities from its apps worldwide. The ban will apply broadly to all of Meta’s platforms, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, with implementation expected in the coming days. This move is seen as a significant step in combating disinformation and foreign interference in global information integrity.
Moscow Condemns
The ban has been met with swift condemnation from the Russian authorities. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov lambasted the move, saying that “such actions against Russian media are unacceptable.” Peskov added that “Meta is discrediting itself with these actions. That is why we are extremely negative about this. This obviously complicates the prospects for normalizing our relations with Meta.”
Implications for Global Information Integrity
The implications of Meta’s ban on Russian state-backed media outlets are far-reaching. The ban highlights the growing concern about disinformation and foreign interference in global information integrity. It also raises questions about the role of social media platforms in shaping public opinion and influencing political discourse.
Meta’s ban on Russian state-backed media outlets is a significant step in combating disinformation and protecting global information integrity. However, it also raises important questions about the role of social media platforms in shaping public opinion and influencing political discourse.
Keyword Phrases:
Russian state-backed media outlets
RT
Rossiya Segodnya
Foreign interference
Disinformation campaign
Global information integrity
Social media platforms
Political discourse
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Title: Meta Bans Russian State-Backed Media Outlets: A Threat to Global Information Integrity
Description: Meta has banned Russian state-backed media outlets, including RT and Rossiya Segodnya, citing foreign interference activities. This move raises important questions about disinformation and global information integrity.
Keywords: Russian state-backed media outlets, RT, Rossiya Segodnya, Meta ban, foreign interference, disinformation campaign, global information integrity, social media platforms, political discourse.
