By Don Silas The European Court of Justice (ECJ) on Wednesday rejected a request by Russian news network RT France to lift a broadca...
By Don Silas
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) on Wednesday rejected a
request by Russian news network RT France to lift a broadcasting ban imposed by
the European Union (EU) on Russia over the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“The EU General Court dismisses Russia Today France’s application
for annulment of the EU Council’s acts,’’ ECJ said on Twitter.
After the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war on February 24,
2022, the EU Council adopted several sets of sanctions against Russia.
These sanctions include broadcasting bans in the EU
targeting Russian media that the EU considers disinformation, including RT
France.
These bans were effective from March 2, and RT France went
to court to contest them on March 8.
However, RT France asked for the annulment of the Council’s
sanctions, arguing that the decision goes against freedom of speech and
information, the right to defend oneself, freedom of entrepreneurship, and the
principle of non-discrimination based on one’s nationality.
Meanwhile, the ECJ ruled against RT France, saying that the
ban was a “proportionate’’ measure, and “necessary to the aims pursued.’’
It also ruled that RT France’s freedom of entrepreneurship
isn’t harmed, as the measures were temporary and reversible.
“This prohibition shows that the judiciary of the EU cannot
or does not want to oppose political power.
“European politicians have chosen a path against the values
on which Europe was based, such as freedom of expression and diversity of
opinion,’’ tweeted Xenia Fedorova, president of RT France.
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