US imposes new sanctions on Russian media channel ‘RT’
- In Reports
- 06:43 PM, Sep 14, 2024
- Myind Staff
The United States imposed fresh sanctions on Russian state media. A "de facto arm of Russia's intelligence apparatus," according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who announced the sanctions against the Russian media outlet RT.
On Friday, the top US diplomat declared that the television network RT is part of a group of media outlets funded by Russia, which attempted to "undermine democracy in the United States" in subtle and often secretive ways. He asserted that the Russian government has "embedded within RT, a unit with cyber operational capabilities and ties to Russian intelligence". RT live-streamed Mr Blinken's remarks on X and declared it the "US's latest conspiracy theory".
Maria Zakharova, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman asserted that there should be a "new profession" in the US, of specialists in sanctions imposed on Russia. Whilst in response to US allegations that RT had sought to influence elections, RT’s editor-in-chief, Margarita Simonyan who was sanctioned by the US last week responded by saying that they were excellent teachers, mentioning that many RT staff had studied in the US, and with US funding.
The state broadcaster, which was formerly known as Russia Today, was charged by the State Department with "information operations, covert influence, and military procurement" in North and South America, Europe, and Africa.
Mr. Blinken has further accused the RT of hosting online fundraising events to collect body armour, sniper rifles, and drones among other weapons for Russian soldiers who are fighting the conflict in Ukraine. He additionally alleged that the network had made efforts to influence Moldova's politics in coordination with Russian intelligence ahead of presidential elections set to take place in October 2024. Two employees of RT Network have been indicted by the US for allegedly attempting to interfere in this year's presidential election.
According to U.S. officials on Friday, the state broadcaster played a greater role in Russia's efforts to undermine democracies.
The state-funded media outlet responded to the accusations made by the US government at the time by calling them "2016 called and it wants its clichés back" in a statement to the BBC. "Three things are certain in life: death, taxes and RT's interference in the US elections."
"Our most powerful antidote to Russia's lies is the truth. It's shining a bright light on what the Kremlin is trying to do under the cover of darkness,” Mr Blinken stated in a press conference. He reaffirmed US support for independent journalism and emphasised that the sanctions had nothing to do with the reporting of the outlet. "Covert influence activities are not journalism," he said.
As the 2024 election draws near, the US government has launched a series of measures against Russian state media, including this announcement. RT has also been designated as a foreign mission by the State Department.
Image source: BBC
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