The Russian state broadcaster RT. (Photo: nomading / Shutterstock)
After YouTube blocked the channels of the Russian state broadcaster RT, Russia threatened the video platform with retaliatory measures and accused YouTube mother Google of censorship on Wednesday. The Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor asked the tech company to lift the lockdown. Otherwise, “measures for total or partial restriction” could be taken against the platform, as the mirror first reported.
The video platform Youtube had previously the German channels of the Russian state medium RT blocked and removed. A YouTube spokesman confirmed the termination of two channels on Tuesday evening at the request of the German Press Agency. RT DE also reported on the blocking on its own website. The editor-in-chief of RT, based in Moscow, Margarita Simonjan, sharply criticized YouTube’s move on Twitter and spoke of a “media war”.
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As the reason for the blocking, Youtube named this: RT DE was recently on it Attention was drawn to the fact that the state medium had violated the guideline on disinformation in connection with the corona pandemic. In a certain period of time, RT DE would then no longer have been allowed to upload videos to its YouTube channel. According to the Google subsidiary, the second channel was then used. Youtube spoke of a workaround attempt. That is why the blockage took place early Tuesday evening.
A spokesman for RT DE informed the dpa: “RT DE is watching itself Unjustly accused and is currently examining legal steps against the arbitrary termination. “RT DE has a good 600,000 subscribers on YouTube. As the Russian state agency Tass reported, the Russian media supervisory authority Roskomnadzor threatened YouTube mother Google with a fine of up to one million rubles (about 11,750 euros) if the company did not withdraw the measure. In the case of repetition, the fine could increase to three million rubles.
Are German journalists threatening restrictions in Russia?
The Russian Foreign Ministry spoke of an “unprecedented information attack, which with obvious tolerance, if was not even committed at the urging of the German side ”. Evidence for this was not provided. At the same time, the Foreign Office threatened to take countermeasures against German journalists in Russia, but without being specific. Such steps are not only appropriate, they are also necessary, it said in a statement.
Actually, the Russian state medium RT – formerly Russia Today – plans to expand in Germany. A German-language TV program is planned – the start was planned for December. However, there is no broadcasting license for this. An attempt by the Luxembourg authorities failed some time ago. TV providers need a broadcasting license for nationwide programs in Germany.
RT is repeatedly criticized in the West as a propaganda instrument of the Kremlin. Central allegation: The station spreads conspiracy theories and disinformation on behalf of the Russian state. RT has several foreign language programs in its portfolio. RT DE has so far offered online reports in German. The content is disseminated via the website and social media such as Facebook, Instagram and so far YouTube. ( with dpa)
