US Unveils New Sanctions on RT, Exposing Covert Russian Operations
US Secretary of State Blinken reveals RT's expanded role in cyber intelligence and influence operations. New sanctions target RT's parent companies to curb funding for covert activities globally.
The United States has intensified its efforts to counter Russian disinformation by unveiling new sanctions against RT, formerly known as Russia Today. Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, disclosed fresh information indicating that RT's activities extend far beyond traditional media operations.
According to Blinken, RT is now being utilized by the Kremlin for cyber intelligence and covert influence operations targeting nations across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Additionally, the network is reportedly involved in procuring weapons for Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The US government has imposed sanctions on RT's parent companies, Rossiya Segodnya and TV-Novosti, aiming to restrict funding for RT's operations. Blinken emphasized that these entities are no longer merely disseminators of propaganda but are actively engaged in undermining democratic processes globally.
"Covert influence activities are not journalism. The United States will always stand for freedom of expression."
The State Department clarified that these actions are not directed at RT's journalistic content but rather at its covert influence campaigns. Unlike the European Union, which banned RT in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the US had previously only required RT to register as a Foreign Agent.
Blinken urged global allies and partners to treat RT's activities with the same scrutiny as other intelligence operations within their borders. James P. Rubin, head of the State Department's Global Engagement Center, compared this diplomatic outreach to the previous administration's campaign against Huawei over security concerns.
RT has established a significant presence in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, operating through a network of front companies in Western countries. Margarita Simonyan, RT's editor-in-chief, responded defiantly to the sanctions, stating on Telegram that they would continue their activities undeterred.
RT, founded in 2005, operates in over 100 countries and broadcasts in multiple languages. The network has faced regulatory challenges in several nations, including the UK and Germany. Despite winning journalism awards, RT has been accused of spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories, particularly regarding the Syrian Civil War and the Ukraine conflict.
The network's budget is primarily funded by the Russian government, and it has been described as a "soft power" tool. RT America ceased operations in March 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and its YouTube channels have been blocked in many countries.
As the US intensifies its efforts against RT, the global community watches closely to see how this latest move will impact the landscape of international media and information warfare.
