Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has banned Russia Today (RT), Rossiya Segodnya, and other Russian state-owned media from its platforms, citing their involvement in deceptive practices to conduct influence operations. In a statement released on Monday, Meta said the decision was made following thorough consideration and is part of expanded sanctions against Russian state media.
“We have taken action to extend our sanctions against Russian state-owned media. RT, Rossiya Segodnya, and related entities are now banned globally from our platforms due to their participation in foreign interference activities,” the statement said. This ban affects Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads.
The move comes shortly after the Biden administration announced sanctions targeting RT and other Moscow-controlled media outlets. U.S. officials have characterized RT as an integral part of Russia’s intelligence operations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking on Friday, emphasized the importance of truth in countering Russian misinformation. “Our strongest weapon against Russia’s falsehoods is the truth. It illuminates what the Kremlin is trying to hide,” Blinken said.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice charged two RT employees with allegedly funding a right-wing media outlet in Tennessee in an effort to sow political division in the United States.
RT, which had 7.2 million followers on Facebook prior to the ban, has not yet commented on Meta’s decision. However, in a previous statement responding to U.S. actions, the broadcaster dismissed the legal charges with a mocking tone, stating: “We eat DOJ indictments for breakfast. Usually with a lot of sour cream.”
