VOA, BBC Promise to Keep Reporting Despite Russian Ban
On Friday, Russia's media watchdog blocked access to Western news outlets, including parts of Voice of America and the BBC.
The media regulator Roskomnadzor has restricted several sites over "deliberate and systematic dissemination of false information," it said.
Agence-France Presse reported that the news websites were requested to be blocked on February 24, the day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Moscow has ordered media outlets to refer to the war as a "special military operation" since then.
Independent media have been warned dozens of times to remove content or risk being fined or blocked by the regulator.
Separately, the European Union, social media platforms, and television providers in the U.S., Africa, and Canada cut off access to Russian-backed channels including RT and Sputnik.
Russian language VOA news was accessible via a VPN from Moscow as of Friday, but English language VOA news remained online.
In a statement, VOA, RFE/RL and BBC said they would continue reporting to Russian audiences.
VOA and RFE/RL are both taxpayer-funded networks under the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
The agency called Russia's attempts to block uncensored news "deplorable."
On Friday, VOA Acting Director Yolanda Lopez acknowledged the ban, but said, "We will continue to promote and support tools and resources that will enable audiences to bypass any blocking efforts imposed in Russia."
“Our journalists will continue their reporting, an example of free press in action,” Lopez said in a statement. “Our viewers and listeners in Russia deserve access to our factual news content at this critical time, not only about the ongoing war in Ukraine, but also about all vital global events that impact their lives and actions.”
According to RFE/RL president Jamie Fly, the ban was intended to prevent reporting about the war's realities.
“[President Vladimir] Putin is feeding Russians a steady diet of lies about the scope and cost of the war in Ukraine,” Fly said in a statement. “RFE/RL refuses to censor our content at this critical moment for our Russian audiences.”
According to the BBC, "independent information is a fundamental human right" and it will operate from outside of Russia.
On Wednesday, the British broadcaster announced it will offer up to four hours of news each day via shortwave radio to Ukraine and parts of Russia, a return to how it operated during the Cold War.
According to the company, it is temporarily suspending the work of its staff in Russia due to a new media law.
The Russian government opposes reporting about the invasion, including deaths of civilians.
Ukraine's emergency agency reported more than 2,000 deaths on Wednesday. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, more than 500 troops died and 1,500 were wounded, and the United Nations estimates more than 1 million refugees.
Russia’s embassies also sought to correct what Moscow sees as inaccurate reporting.
Additionally, Russia imposed heavy penalties for false news about military movements.
According to a new law passed by the State Duma on Friday, false news about troops would carry 15-year sentences.
The bill, which was also approved by the Federation Council, will be sent to President Putin for signing.
