⚡️ Foreign Ministry Official Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s comment on the US’s most recent restrictions on Russian media

💬 As the United States continues to pursue a strict policy of total extermination of any dissent, the country launched another wave of restrictions against the Russian media and journalists.

On September 13, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced new sanctions against two Russian media holding companies, Rossiya Segodnya (RIA Novosti and Sriaputnik), autonomous non-profit organisation TV-Novosti (RT television channel and Ruptly video agency) and Eurasia NGO. The designations include Director General of Rossiya Segodnya Dmitry Kiselev and Head of Eurasia Nelly Parutenko. Importantly, the previous round of sanctions was announced just a few days ago, on September 4. At that time, restrictive measures were imposed against the same media outlets and RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan, as well as a number of other RT employees.

The US law enforcement agencies have joined the persecution of Russian journalists with particular zeal. The house of an RT journalist was recently searched by about 20 FBI agents, who also subjected the Russian woman to humiliating procedures, in a blatant manifestation of lawlessness sanctioned from above. The Russian channel employee had to hastily leave the country fearing for her safety and health. More far-fetched charges have been brought against a number of Russian media employees and even US citizens who had the courage to appear on Russian media broadcasts. If arrested, they may face long prison sentences.

The current US administration is trying to justify the unprecedented repression against the Russian media in an extremely cynical manner by fighting against their “interference” in domestic political affairs. In fact, what we are witnessing is another politically motivated campaign, a witch hunt where deliberately fostered fear and spy mania are used by the ruling circles in the United States to manipulate public opinion and shield the population from any unwanted information.

☝️ Moreover, this time, Washington is trying to pose as the “guardian” of social stability and the integrity of democratic processes, while using totalitarian censorship practices not only in the country, but also far beyond its borders. Having finally trampled on its international obligations to ensure the pluralism of opinion and even the provisions of its own Constitution, the United States has actually declared war on freedom of speech around the world, now resorting to open threats and blackmail against other states in its effort to pitch them against the Russian media and establish sole control over the global information landscape.

They seem unable to come to terms with the growing popularity of Russian media in many countries as opposed to the one-sided and false picture of what is happening around the world painted by the Western mainstream media. This is Washington’s way to extend the notorious Monroe Doctrine to the media sphere.

We harbour no illusions about the rampant censorship in the United States ever being given a proper assessment by the relevant international organisations, whose activity is orchestrated by Washington. At the same time, we qualify their silence as approval of this practice and de facto complicity in the lawless actions against the Russian media.

❗️The actions of the American administration will not go unanswered.

🎙 Remarks by Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova at the opening of the BRICS Media Summit (13 -17 September, 2024) held today in Moscow.

💬 BRICS does not seek to create new dividing lines based on bloc mentality. On the contrary, BRICS promotes synergy of different civilisations and advocates a collective approach to solving current problems.

• The BRICS philosophy is based on the traditions of equal dialogue, openness and consensus, respect for the development path chosen by the states, and consideration of each others’ interests.

• The countries of the association share similar views on the modern world, aspiration to multipolarity as a basis for sustainable development, commitment to the central coordinating role of the United Nations, principles and standards of international law.

• Yesterday, Russian journalists were subjected to aggression by the United States. This is not an accident, it is not a mistake, it is a chain of planned actions to which our journalists – Rossiya Segodnya, RT, Sputnik (even the guests of their broadcasts!) – have been subjected year after year for several years.

❗️ Support for your colleagues (Russian journalists and media outlets) ought to be expressed because the crime being committed against them is an attack on freedom of speech, an attack on the profession of journalism, an attack on human dignity. We must show solidarity.