The Diplomat
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, yesterday condemned Russia’s decision to veto access to the Internet pages of more than 80 media outlets from European Union countries, including four Spanish ones: El País, El Mundo, RTVE and Agencia Efe.
In a statement, Borrell described the measure as “unfounded” and added that it “further restricts access to free and independent information and expands the already severe censorship of the media in Russia.”
The Government of Vladimir Putin made the decision after, in mid-May, the EU member states agreed to suspend Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta, arguing that they are media that “are under the permanent control, direct or indirect, of Russia’s leaders and have been essential and decisive in promoting and supporting the war of aggression against Ukraine.” Previously, the EU had already taken measures against the Russian news agency Sputnik and the Russia Today television.
Borrell noted in his statement yesterday that the media banned by Moscow “work in accordance with journalistic principles and standards, they offer objective information, also to the Russian public, including about the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.” And he concluded: “Respect for Freedom of expression and media is a fundamental value for the EU. “The EU will continue to support access to objective information also for the Russian public.”
The statement was supported by 26 of the 27 member states, but did not take the form of an EU declaration due to Hungary’s opposition, according to Foreign Affairs spokesman Peter Stano.
