site.btaUPDATED Moscow Announces Restrictions against Two Bulgarian Media Outlets

Moscow announced Tuesday that it is restricting access on Russian territory to two Bulgarian media outlets: Mediapool.bg and 24chasa.bg. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a Russian-language announcement on its website that the two are among 81 news providers in the EU that are subject to "counter restrictions". The Ministry specified that the step was taken "in response to a decision adopted by the EU Council on May 17 on the suspension of the broadcasting activities of three Russian media: RIA Novosti, Izvestija and Rossiiskaja Gazeta".

The reference is to Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1429 of 17 May 2024 which added the three Russian media to a list of legal persons, entities or bodies whose content may not be broadcast by operators in the EU and whose licence or authorization, transmission and distribution arrangement is suspended.

The EU Council motivated its move by Russian "propaganda actions" "targeted at civil society in the Union and neighbouring countries, gravely distorting and manipulating facts" and "channelled through a number of media outlets under the permanent direct or indirect control of the leadership of the Russian Federation." "Such actions constitute a significant and direct threat to the Union’s public order and security. Those media outlets are essential and instrumental in bringing forward and supporting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and for the destabilisation of its neighbouring countries," the Council said.

According to Moscow, the 81 media outlets "systematically disseminate false information about the progress of the special military operation".

The statement says that if the restrictions on Russian media are lifted, the Russian side "will also reconsider its decision in relation to the media operators concerned".