Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Brussels — State-controlled media outlet Russia Today on Wednesday lost its court fight against an EU ban imposed in March over alleged disinformation, prompting the Kremlin to warn of retaliatory measures against Western media.
Europe’s second highest court upheld the EU decision, taken after Brussels accused Russia Today of systematic disinformation over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The grand chamber of the general court dismisses RT France’s application for annulment of acts of the council, adopted following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, temporarily prohibiting that organisation from broadcasting content,” the Luxembourg-based court said.
Judges endorsed the latitude of the EU’s council of government heads to take restrictive measures in this field and dismissed Russia Today’s arguments that the ban curtailed its freedom of expression.
“The limitations on RT France’s freedom of expression which the restrictive measures at issue are liable to have are proportionate, inasmuch as they are appropriate and necessary to the aims pursued,” judges said in their ruling.
“The court also finds that those measures do not disproportionately infringe the essential content of RT France’s freedom to conduct a business since they are temporary and reversible,” they said.
The Kremlin said the EU court’s decision was “extremely negative” and that Moscow would take similar measures against Western media in response.
In a call with reporters, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia Today was unable to work in Europe but he hoped it would find loopholes to resume broadcasting.
RT France said it would appeal to the court of justice of the EU, Europe’s highest court.
“The court’s confirmation of this general ban with an uncertain term unfortunately shows that the judicial power of the EU cannot or does not want to oppose political power,” Xenia Fedorova, president of RT France, said in a statement.
The EU sanction, which applies to RT’s English unit and operations in Britain, Germany, France and Spain, means RT content cannot be broadcast or disseminated by EU operators.
The ban includes the suspension of RT’s broadcasting licences and authorisation, transmission and distribution arrangements with its EU counterparts.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Court upholds EU ban on Russia Today
Brussels — State-controlled media outlet Russia Today on Wednesday lost its court fight against an EU ban imposed in March over alleged disinformation, prompting the Kremlin to warn of retaliatory measures against Western media.
Europe’s second highest court upheld the EU decision, taken after Brussels accused Russia Today of systematic disinformation over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The grand chamber of the general court dismisses RT France’s application for annulment of acts of the council, adopted following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, temporarily prohibiting that organisation from broadcasting content,” the Luxembourg-based court said.
Judges endorsed the latitude of the EU’s council of government heads to take restrictive measures in this field and dismissed Russia Today’s arguments that the ban curtailed its freedom of expression.
“The limitations on RT France’s freedom of expression which the restrictive measures at issue are liable to have are proportionate, inasmuch as they are appropriate and necessary to the aims pursued,” judges said in their ruling.
“The court also finds that those measures do not disproportionately infringe the essential content of RT France’s freedom to conduct a business since they are temporary and reversible,” they said.
The Kremlin said the EU court’s decision was “extremely negative” and that Moscow would take similar measures against Western media in response.
In a call with reporters, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia Today was unable to work in Europe but he hoped it would find loopholes to resume broadcasting.
RT France said it would appeal to the court of justice of the EU, Europe’s highest court.
“The court’s confirmation of this general ban with an uncertain term unfortunately shows that the judicial power of the EU cannot or does not want to oppose political power,” Xenia Fedorova, president of RT France, said in a statement.
The EU sanction, which applies to RT’s English unit and operations in Britain, Germany, France and Spain, means RT content cannot be broadcast or disseminated by EU operators.
The ban includes the suspension of RT’s broadcasting licences and authorisation, transmission and distribution arrangements with its EU counterparts.
Reuters
Russia tightens Nord Stream 1 gas deliveries to Europe
Europe finds middle ground on gas curbs amid Russia supply fear
Russian-made goods fill the country’s shelves as sanctions hit imports
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Russia criticises Israel about Ukraine but not about Jewish emigration
Russian-made goods fill the country’s shelves as sanctions hit imports
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.