US imposes new sanctions on Russian state media
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced new sanctions against the Russian news channel RT, which it accuses of being “part of Russian espionage”.
A senior US official told reporters on Friday that RT was part of a Russian-backed media network that sought to “undermine democracy in the United States”.
He added that the Russian government is “embedded within RT, a unit with cyber capabilities and ties to Russian intelligence”.
RT broadcast Mr Blinken’s remarks live on X and declared it “the latest US conspiracy theory”.
The spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, said that there should be a “new job” in the US, of experts in the sanctions imposed on Russia.
Responding to US allegations that RT wanted to influence the election, RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan. who was sanctioned by the US last week they said they are high-quality teachers, adding that many RT employees studied in the US, with American funding.
The State Department accused the state broadcaster, formerly Russia Today, of engaging in “information operations, covert influence, and military procurement” in countries in Europe, Africa, and North and South America.
Mr Blinken also accused RT of running online fundraisers to buy body armor, sniper rifles, drones and other equipment for Russian forces fighting in Ukraine.
The network, he said, also sought to influence Moldovan politics in collaboration with Russian intelligence before the presidential election in October 2024.
The United States has already indicted two RT employees for allegedly trying to interfere in this year’s presidential election, but American officials said Friday that the broadcaster played a major role in Russia’s efforts to undermine democracy.
The state-funded media organization responded at the time by scoffing at the US government’s allegations, saying in a statement sent to the BBC that “2016 has called and wants it back”.
“Three things are certain in life: death, taxes and RT meddling in US elections.”
Mr Blinken said at a press conference: “Our most powerful antidote to Russia’s lies is the truth. It shines a great light on what the Kremlin is trying to do in the dark.”
Mr. Blinken emphasized that these sanctions do not match the things reported in the parliament, and he emphasized that America supports independent journalism.
“Undercover operations are not journalism,” he said.
The announcement is part of a series of measures taken by the US government against Russian state media as the 2024 election approaches. The State Department has also designated RT as a foreign service.
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