Meta bans RT just days after the U.S. accuses the Russian outlet of spreading disinformation.

 

On Monday, social media giant Meta announced a global ban on the Russian media outlet RT, following recent accusations by the Biden administration that RT functions as an extension of Moscow's intelligence agencies.

 

A Meta spokesperson stated, “After careful consideration, we have expanded our enforcement against Russian state media outlets. Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and other related entities are now banned from our apps worldwide due to their involvement in foreign interference activities.” Read More

This action follows the Biden administration's announcement of new sanctions on Friday, with a State Department official labeling RT as "a fully-fledged member of the intelligence apparatus and operations of the Russian government" in relation to the conflict in Ukraine.

U.S. officials have accused RT of conducting covert information warfare on behalf of Russia’s intelligence agencies. James Rubin, coordinator for the State Department’s Global Engagement Center, described RT as a platform where “propaganda, disinformation, and lies” are disseminated to millions, if not billions, globally. Read More

According to U.S. officials, some of RT’s operations are concealed. In Africa, RT is reportedly behind an online platform called "African Stream" while masking its involvement. In Germany, RT allegedly operates a Berlin-based English-language site known as "Red." In France, RT is said to have hired a journalist in Paris to manage "influence projects" targeting French-speaking audiences.

 

In response, the Biden administration is imposing sanctions on TV-Novosti, the state-funded broadcaster that oversees RT, as well as on Rossiya Segodnya, another state media company, and its director Dmitry Kiselyov. Read More

 

The U.S. has previously accused Russia of attempting to interfere in its elections, including the 2016 election, for which 12 Russian nationals were indicted for cyber crimes. Russia has consistently denied such allegations of interference.

 

Meta has been restricting Russian state-controlled media for the past two years. The new ban announced on Monday will be enforced across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, over the coming days. Read More