DISINFO: Western countries are persecuting Russian media
SUMMARY
Russia will seek the reaction of OSCE to facts of oppression of Russian media in the Western countries. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs many times brought to the attention examples of violation of the principles of democratic society in these countries. Such Russian media as RT, Sputnik, RIA-Novosti, and Baltnews are facing oppression in some OSCE countries, including Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, France, and Germany.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about discrimination against Russian media in the West.
In the “2021 World Press Freedom index” (by Reporters Without Borders) Germany is on 13th place, Estonia is on 15th place, Latvia on 22nd place, Lithuania on 28th place, and France is on 34th place. This illustrate a free environment. For comparison: Russia holds in this ranking 150th position (between 180 countries).
In the “Freedom in the World” ranking (by Freedom House) Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany and France were evaluated as free countries. Russia belongs to the group of non-free countries.
The mentioned outlets RT, Sputnik, RIA-Novosti, Baltnews are well-known channels for the spread of Kremlin-backed disinformation; several directly financed from the Russian Federation state budget. Many cases of disinformation published in these media outlets are debunked in the EU vs DISINFO database.
See similar cases claiming that the Baltic states continue the persecution of Russian publications and Russian-speaking journalists; or that Ukraine and Baltics use restrictions against Russian media for the achievement of geopolitical goals against Russia; or that Poland started another wave of Russophobic political persecution on the Russian journalists; or that the campaign to combat the Russian media in the Baltics is part of the West’s large geopolitical strategy.