Tech giant Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, has announced a ban on Russian state media outlets, including RT, citing their alleged involvement in foreign interference activities. The ban will apply globally on all Meta platforms, including WhatsApp and Threads. This announcement comes shortly after the US government imposed sanctions on RT and other Russian-controlled media, accusing them of being part of the Kremlin’s intelligence apparatus.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of exposing Russia’s propaganda and maintaining the truth as a defense against its misinformation campaigns. The US Department of Justice recently indicted two RT employees for allegedly funding a right-wing media company to stir political discord in the US.
RT, one of the largest Russian state media outlets with millions of followers on Facebook, has not publicly responded to the ban but has previously made light of US attempts to target it. The ban on RT and other Russian state media by Meta is part of a wider effort to combat foreign interference and disinformation on social media platforms.
The move by Meta to ban Russian state media outlets is likely to have significant implications for the reach and influence of these outlets, as they will no longer be able to access a large global audience through Meta-owned platforms. This ban reflects the growing concern over foreign interference and propaganda on social media, particularly in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and Western countries.
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