RT Germany channels deleted – Russia threatens to block YouTube
Youtube deleted the German-language channels of the controversial Russian foreign broadcaster RT on Tuesday. The Russian media supervisory authority apparently does not like that at all, it threatens retaliation.
After YouTube blocked the channels of the Russian state broadcaster RT, Russia threatened the video platform with retaliatory measures and accused YouTube mother Google of censorship on Wednesday. The Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor asked the tech company to lift the lockdown. Otherwise “measures for total or partial restriction” could be taken against the platform.
The video platform Youtube had previously blocked and removed the German channels of the Russian state medium RT. A Youtube spokesman confirmed the termination of two channels on Tuesday evening at the request of the German Press Agency. RT DE also reported on the blocking on its own website. The editor-in-chief of RT, based in Moscow, Margarita Simonjan, sharply criticized YouTube’s move on Twitter and spoke of a “media war”.
Youtube named this as the reason for the blocking: RT DE was recently made aware that the state media had violated the disinformation policy in connection with the corona pandemic. In a certain period of time, RT DE would then no longer have been allowed to upload videos to its YouTube channel. According to the Google subsidiary, the second channel was then used. Youtube spoke of a workaround attempt. Therefore, the lock was now made early Tuesday evening.
A spokesman for RT DE told the dpa: “RT DE sees itself wrongly accused and is currently examining legal steps against the arbitrary termination.” RT DE has a good 600,000 subscribers on YouTube. As the Russian state agency Tass reported, the Russian media supervisory authority Roskomnadzor threatened YouTube mother Google with a fine of up to one million rubles (about 11,750 euros) if the company did not withdraw the measure. In the event of repetition, the fine could increase to three million rubles.
The Russian Foreign Ministry spoke of an “unprecedented information attack that was committed with obvious tolerance, if not even at the urging of the German side”. Evidence for this was not provided. At the same time, the Foreign Office threatened to take countermeasures against German journalists in Russia, but without being specific. Such steps are not only appropriate, they are also necessary, it said in a statement.
The Russian state medium RT – formerly Russia Today – is actually planning to expand in Germany. A German-language TV program is planned – the start was planned for December. However, there is no broadcasting license for this. An attempt by the Luxembourg authorities failed some time ago. TV providers require a broadcasting license for nationwide programs in Germany.
RT is repeatedly criticized in the West as the Kremlin’s propaganda tool. Central allegation: The station spreads conspiracy theories and disinformation on behalf of the Russian state. RT has several foreign language programs in its portfolio. RT DE currently offers online reports in German. The content is disseminated via the website and social media such as Facebook, Instagram and so far YouTube. (with dpa)
