DISINFO: The are greater guarantees of freedom of expression in Russia than in the West
SUMMARY
The are greater guarantees of freedom of expression in Russia than in the West, including the United States.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on freedom of speech and press, which alleges that Western governments are increasingly limiting the freedom of expression and the independence of the media.
In fact, freedom of expression is under increasing pressure in Russia. Human Rights Watch's 2020 report highlighted the persecution and arrest of journalists and citizens in Russia following the tightening of restrictive measures on the freedom of expression, aiming especially to crack down on online activities on the basis of a 2019 law that increased the government’s censoring power over the media.
This law, “requires that internet service providers install special equipment that can track, filter, and reroute internet traffic. This equipment allows Russia’s telecommunications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, to independently and extrajudicially block access to content that the government deems a threat. Such interference can be also based on content’s origin, the type of app on which it was conveyed, and the like.” Subsequent attempts at censorship have involved major social media, such as Twitter or Telegram.
Russia's position in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index is 150th out of 180 nations monitored, below the Democratic Republic of Congo, Algeria or South Sudan. In the top three places for press freedom are Norway, Finland and Sweden, while the United States is in position 44.
Freedom House monitored the Russian government's strong control over freedom of expression through the authorities, state-run media networks and the intervention of economically influential and government-aligned private figures.
Read similar cases claiming that in Russia there are no attacks on citizen’s freedom of expression as there are in Latvia that Russia has always upheld the fundamental principles of freedom of expression, and that US censors people on the internet while Russia doesn't.