Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced that it will be banning several Russian state media networks from its platforms due to allegations of deceptive tactics and foreign interference activities. The banned networks include Rossiya Segodnya, RT (formerly Russia Today), and other related entities.
According to Meta, the bans are expected to take effect in the next few days. This move comes as Russian state media outlets have faced increased scrutiny over claims of trying to influence politics in Western countries.
Meta’s decision marks a significant escalation in the company’s stance towards Russian state media companies. Two years ago, Meta took limited measures to restrict the spread of Russian state-controlled media, such as stopping them from running ads on its platforms and limiting the reach of their content.
The US government has also recently accused state broadcaster RT of paying a Tennessee firm $10 million to create and distribute content with hidden Russian government messaging to US audiences. This indictment alleged that videos promoting right-wing narratives on various issues were secretly edited, posted, and directed by RT employees.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced new sanctions against RT last week, labeling it as a “de facto arm of Russia’s intelligence apparatus.” Blinken stated that RT, along with other Russian-backed media outlets, have been working to covertly undermine democracy in the United States.
In response to these accusations, RT live-streamed Blinken’s remarks and dismissed them as the “US’s latest conspiracy theory.” The Russian embassy in Washington, RT, and Rossiya Segodnya have not yet responded to requests for comment on Meta’s ban.
