[ADDENDUM: Important information added on 13 June]
The European Commission announced the adoption of its sixth package of sanctions against Russia on 3 June 2022.
The sanctions cover a wide array of sectors, including the audiovisual sector. In addition to the previous ban of RT and Sputnik, a new decision and regulation has been published, banning Rossiya RTR/RTR Planeta, Rossiya 24/Russia 24 and TV Centre International - outlets that had already been suspended in several countries but could still be accessed via satellite.
The sixth sanction package addresses this issue by covering any means of transmission or distribution (cable, satellite, IPTV, internet service providers, video sharing platforms and applications) and prohibiting advertising of any products or services produced or broadcast by the sanctioned outlets. Attempting to circumvent the sanctions is also prohibited.
In addition to the sanctions listed above, the Commission also adopted on 7 June a decision authorising the Ukrainian National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radiofrequency Spectrum and the Provision of Postal Services (NCEC) to take part in the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), in an effort to secure affordable cross-border communications and connectivity, which are key to allow refugees to stay in contact with people at home and abroad.
For additional information on the range of measures taken by media regulators against state-owned Russian programmes, see the articles released in the first weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine (25 February and 7 March and 18 March articles).
A new article with an overview of the more recent measures taken in EPRA member countries will be published in the coming days.
Image credit: Serhii Ivashchuk