Moscow Condemns Action as “Censorship” Amid Ongoing Media Tensions
Russia has pledged to retaliate after its state media channels were reportedly blocked on the Telegram platform across several European Union (EU) countries. Channels linked to Ria Novosti news agency, Rossiya 1, Pervyi Kanal, NTV television, and newspapers Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta were reportedly inaccessible in nations such as France, Belgium, Poland, Greece, the Netherlands, and Italy on Sunday.
Neither Telegram nor EU officials have commented on the apparent disruption, but Moscow has denounced the move as a “systematic cleansing” of dissenting voices.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized the block as “an act of censorship,” adding, “The systematic cleansing of all undesirable sources of information from the information space continues.”
Background on Media Restrictions
The EU had previously banned Russian state media outlets, including Ria Novosti and Izvestia, accusing them of spreading propaganda amidst heightened tensions following Russia’s actions in Ukraine. These measures aimed to limit the influence of Kremlin-backed narratives within the bloc.
The recent block on Telegram—widely used for news dissemination—appears to be a continuation of efforts to curtail Russian state media’s reach in the EU.
Rising Media Tensions
Moscow has consistently rejected accusations of using its state-controlled media as propaganda tools, accusing Western nations of double standards in their approach to press freedom.
The blocking of state media channels on Telegram is likely to further strain relations between Russia and the EU, with Moscow warning of potential retaliatory measures.
