Maria Zakharova: blocking RT DE in Germany is a persecution of employees of the Russian media
Maria Zakharova. Photo: MFA Russia / Globallookpress.com
Germany continues the practice of cleaning up its information space, neglects the principles of a democratic society and plays a decisive role in the pressure on the Russian media and the persecution of its employees. The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, commented on the blocking of the broadcasting of the RT DE TV channel (the German-speaking branch of Russia Today) in Europe and threatened Germany with retaliatory measures. The statement was published on the official website of the ministry.
According to the diplomat, Berlin is in direct violation of obligations under international law, “to exclude the access of citizens of the country to any alternative sources of information.” “At the same time, we consider the practice of forcing a satellite operator to bypass the dispute settlement procedures established by the aforementioned convention as absolutely unacceptable,” she said.
“Continuing the practice of cleaning up its information space in the worst traditions of censorship, the German government is deliberately leading us to the need to take retaliatory measures,” concluded Zakharova.
It became known on December 22 that the German-language media regulator MABB demanded to remove the RT DE TV channel from broadcasting in Europe. European satellite operator Eutelsat 9B complied with the demand and removed RT DE, which is broadcasting from studios in Moscow, from the grid. The press service of RT DE called MAAB's actions illegal.
Earlier it became known that an investigation was initiated in Germany against the Russia Today TV channel network. Berlin suspects the Russian television network of violating broadcasting rules in Germany due to the alleged lack of the necessary license for the network. Following an investigation by RT, a fine of up to half a million euros or a broadcast ban may be imposed.
