Ukraine in Flames: How to make Russian propagandists take responsibility for their words

The Kremlin’s propaganda is an integral part of the Russian military machine. For years, the Russian media has manipulated Ukrainian society, preparing the ground for political descreditation and military overtake of Ukraine. The state media have been the consolidator of pateralist, revanchist and chauvinist sentiments in Russian society for two decades of Putin’s regime. Russia’s war and war crimes should be blamed not only on the military, but also on Russian propaganda.

The world is finally ready to recognize the danger that the likes of Simonian, Soloviev and Skabeyeva pose to global peace and professional journalism. After President Zelensky made a case against the Russian propagandists to the leaders of the G7, they promised to impose additional sanctions against the key pro-Kremlin talking heads and members of Russia’s elite close to the Kremlin. Immediately after the G7 meeting, the US government announced new individual sanctions against Russia’s propagandists from the Channel One and Russia-1 TV channels.

The European Commission is principled that the Russian propagandists would not be allowed to distribute their content anymore in the EU, in whatever shape or form, be it on cable, via satellite, on the internet or via smartphone apps. As early as April 21, Australian public service broadcasters decided to stop broadcasting the Russian state television, and the Australian government imposed sanctions on 32 propagandists. RT, a state-sponsored broadcaster led by Margarita Simonian, has been banned from the EU networks, several independent providers, like Sky TV in the UK, and most of the social media, like Youtube and Twitter.

In Ukraine in Flames #60 we will discuss what more can be done to bring Russian propagandists to justice for their role in the deaths and grievances of the citizens of Ukraine.

Speakers:

  • Oleksandr Pavlichenko, Director of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union
  • Maksym Butkevych, human rights activist.

UKRAINE IN FLAMES project is created by Ukraine Crisis Media CenterUkrainian Catholic University’s analitical center and NGO “Euroatlantic Course”.  We are aiming at searching a loud support for Ukraine in the war started by Russia on the 24th of February 2022.

If you want to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, check the link with recommendations by Ukraine Crisis Media Center – https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine.

NGO Euroatlantic Course collects donations to support Ukrainian Army and civilians – https://eac.org.ua/en/main-page/.