Russia to Block 81 European Media Outlets
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that access to 81 European media outlets will be restricted in Russia starting June 25, 2024. This move comes as a response to the European Union’s ban on broadcasting three Russian state-run media organizations—RIA Novosti, Izvestia, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta—within the EU.
According to the Ministry, the European outlets included in the ban are accused of “systematically spreading false information” about the “special operation” in Ukraine. The Ministry described the EU Council’s decision to ban several Russian media outlets as an “escalatory measure.”
Major Outlets Affected
- Der Spiegel
- Die Zeit
- El Mundo
- El Pais
- La Stampa
- La Repubblica
- Helsingin Sanomat
- Le Monde
- Liberation
- Agence France-Presse
- Delfi
- Politico
- Euobserver
It’s worth noting that Helsingin Sanomat and Delfi have already faced military censorship in Russia multiple times. In most cases, the initiative came from the Prosecutor General’s Office, and later from an unspecified government agency.
Official Statement
In its press release, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:
“The Russian side has repeatedly and at various levels warned that politically motivated persecution of domestic journalists and unjustified bans on Russian media in the EU will not go unanswered. Responsibility for this development lies solely with the leadership of the European Union and the countries that supported this decision.”
Background and Additional Sanctions
The EU’s ban on several Russian media outlets was announced in the second half of May 2024. In addition, a new package of sanctions was published just recently, which includes plans to block cryptocurrency exchanges that help circumvent sanction restrictions.