UK media regulator Ofcom has revoked the broadcasting license of Russia’s state-backed news channel RT “with immediate effect”.
“We do not consider RT to be appropriate and appropriate for a UK license and cannot be satisfied that it could be a responsible broadcaster,” Ofcom announced on Friday.
“Today’s decision comes as Ofcom is conducting an investigation into 29 investigations into the impartiality of RT news and news coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” it added. in a statement.
“This investigation took into account a number of factors, including RT’s relationship with the Russian Federation. It has been recognized that RT is sponsored by the Russian state, which recently invaded a sovereign neighboring state. We also note new laws in Russia effectively criminalizing any independent press other than the Russian state’s own reporting, especially regarding the invasion of Ukraine. We consider that given these constraints, RT is unlikely to be able to comply with the fair play rules of our Broadcasting Code in the circumstances. “
In response, RT described Ofcom as a “government tool.”
RT, license held by ANO TV Novosti, has come under fierce attack from across Europe since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. In February, the European Union announced that it would ban both RT and the Russian-backed Sputnik channel as part of increased sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s government.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Russia Today and Sputnik, as well as their subsidiaries, will no longer be able to spread lies to justify Putin’s wars and sow division in the world. our alliance”. “So we are developing tools to ban their malicious and harmful misinformation in Europe.”
