Roskomnadzor sent Google a demand “as soon as possible” to remove restrictions from the YouTube channel of the Russian Russia Today (RT). The agency considers blocking the video as an act of censorship.
“Such actions by the YouTube video hosting administration violate the key principles of free dissemination of information, unhindered access to it, and constitute an act of censorship against the Russian media. The department demands to remove all restrictions as soon as possible, and also to explain the reasons for their introduction, “- said in the statement of Roskomnadzor.
The agency reported that the video hosting service blocked several RT materials and banned the channel from publishing videos and conducting live broadcasts “under the pretext of spreading false information” about the coronavirus. Roskomnadzor recalled that an administrative fine of up to 1 million rubles is provided for censoring Russian media, and up to 3 million rubles for repeated refusal to comply with the requirements.
Since the beginning of 2012, Roskomnadzor has identified 71 thousand materials with prohibited information on YouTube. Video hosting did not delete 6 thousand of them. Russian authorities have been slowing down Twitter since March for failing to remove banned information. Roskomnadzor does not rule out slowing down or blocking other social networks, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube video hosting.
About the removal of videos on YouTube – in an interview with Marco Pancini, Director of Government Relations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at YouTube.
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