Facebook’s Owner Has Banned Russian State Media.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has declared a global ban on several Russian state media networks. This decision is based on allegations that these outlets employ deceptive tactics to conduct influence operations and avoid detection on the platform. The company stated that it has expanded its ongoing enforcement against Russian state media in light of these concerns.
Among the banned entities are Rossiya Segodnya and RT, which are now prohibited from using Meta’s apps worldwide due to their involvement in foreign interference activities. This marks a significant shift in how the social media giant addresses the presence of Russian state-controlled media on its platforms.
In response to the ban, RT newsreader Eunan O’Neill asserted that the broadcaster, along with Russia as a whole, denies the accusations being leveled against them. He emphasized that these claims have been made in increasing numbers over recent days, highlighting the contentious nature of the situation.
The implementation of these bans is expected to take effect within the coming days. This move reflects a broader trend of heightened scrutiny faced by Russian state media outlets, particularly regarding their alleged attempts to sway political opinions in Western nations.
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Meta’s ownership extends beyond Facebook; it also includes popular platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. The decision to ban these media networks represents a more aggressive approach by the company compared to previous measures taken against Russian state media.
Two years ago, Meta had already begun to restrict the spread of content from Russian state-controlled outlets. These earlier measures included preventing these organizations from running advertisements on its platforms and limiting the visibility of their content.
Following the onset of the war in Ukraine, Meta, along with other social media platforms, complied with requests from the EU, UK, and Ukraine to block certain Russian state media in their respective regions. This compliance illustrates the growing pressure on tech companies to act against foreign influence.
Recently, the U.S. government accused RT, the state broadcaster, of paying a Tennessee firm $10 million to create and distribute content to American audiences, which contained hidden messaging from the Russian government. An indictment revealed that videos promoting right-wing narratives were secretly manipulated by RT employees to influence public opinion.
