Meta has announced that it will ban Russian state media outlets from its social media platforms due to alleged deceptive tactics used to amplify Moscow’s propaganda. The banned outlets include Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and related entities globally. The decision has led to a rebuke from the Kremlin, with its spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, criticizing Meta’s actions as unacceptable and detrimental to relations.
Formerly known as Russia Today, RT is among the banned outlets, alongside Rossiya Segodnya, the parent company of state news agency RIA Novosti and news brands like Sputnik. The move by Meta follows recent US sanctions on RT, accusing the news outlet of being involved in supporting Russia’s military efforts and spreading disinformation to undermine democratic adversaries.
Despite Meta’s efforts to counter Russia’s online influence, Moscow has rejected the allegations and taken retaliatory measures, including designating Meta as an extremist group and blocking access to Facebook and Instagram in Russia. These platforms, along with X (formerly Twitter), were popular among Russians before the invasion of Ukraine and subsequent crackdown on independent media.
Meta’s recent ban comes after years of incremental actions taken against Russian state media. Since 2020, Meta has been labeling posts from state media and enforcing restrictions on ads and content visibility. In 2022, a disinformation network in Russia spreading Kremlin propaganda about the invasion of Ukraine was taken down by Meta.
The ban on Russian state media by Meta is seen as an escalation in the company’s efforts to combat foreign interference activities. This move is part of a broader trend where social media platforms are increasingly pressured to regulate disinformation and propaganda spreading through their networks.
