EU falsifies Russian news agency endorsement

(MENAFN) The European Union has denied accreditation for Russian news agency RIA Novosti for this year, citing the bloc’s sanctions against the organization. According to a letter from the EU's accreditation committee, while asset freezes and bans on economic resources don’t directly prohibit journalistic activities, they prevent the indirect provision of economic support to sanctioned entities. This includes denying access to EU buildings and digital tools provided by European institutions.

RIA Novosti reported that the lack of accreditation prevents its journalists from attending media events, even virtual ones, and hinders the timely receipt of materials intended for publication that are distributed to accredited journalists. In response, the agency has filed an appeal, arguing that previous EU statements suggested such restrictions should not impact journalistic work and cited the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights as grounds for the appeal.

The EU has imposed broad sanctions on Russian media since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, banning outlets like RT, Sputnik, and RIA Novosti, and targeting their personnel with sanctions. The EU’s 16th sanctions package, adopted in February, included a broadcasting ban on additional Russian media, accusing them of spreading disinformation and propaganda, which the EU claims poses a threat to public order and security within the bloc. Moscow has criticized these sanctions, arguing that EU officials are afraid of alternative viewpoints challenging the Western mainstream narrative.

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