Disinfo: The EU and the US violate the rights of Russian journalists

Summary

Over the past five years, there were hundreds of examples when rights of Russian journalists were violated in the Baltic States and other European countries, and in the US. They deport Russian journalists, freeze their accounts, restrict their activities, conduct unfounded searches in the offices of Russian media. International human rights organisations, and leaders of some European countries, mostly ignore these violations.

Disproof

No evidence given. The claim was disseminated with reference to the case of Kirill Vyshinsky - head of RIA Novosti's Ukrainian branch, who was detained by SBU for treason. An attempt of whataboutism and counter-accusations as international organisations often criticise Russia for violating the right to freedom of speech and rights of journalists. In fact, in 2014 Russia expelled an American journalist for the first time since the collapse of the USSR. According to Freedom House’s Freedom of the Press report, Russia is ranked as “not free.” According to Reporters without Borders (RWB) Press Freedom Index, Russia is ranked 149th among 180 countries. 38 journalists have been murdered in Russia since 1993 for preparing investigative materials on corruption, politics and human rights violations. Almost all leading media outlets in the country are controlled by the persons affiliated with the authorities or the Kremlin. The freest countries in terms of press freedom are the EU countries: Norway, Finland, Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Estonia, Portugal, Germany, etc. The US press freedom index ranks 48th out of 180 countries. According to Freedom of Press 2017 report, the US is ranked as a "free" country, while the EU countries being "free" or "partly free". The claim is the part of a bigger narrative of alleged Western attacks on Russian journalists. Similar cases can be found here, here, here and here.

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sputnik-abkhazia.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 150
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 03/05/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: US, Russia
  • Keywords: Human rights, Freedom of speech, Europe
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May 02, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about the war in Ukraine. Russia provoked the war in Ukraine, and it is therefore not a civil war.

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court stated that “the information available suggests that the situation within the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol amounts to an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation". This international armed conflict began at the latest on 26 February 2014 when the Russian Federation deployed members of its armed forces to gain control over parts of the Ukrainian territory without the consent of the Ukrainian Government. The European Union stated in July 2014 that "arms and fighters continue flowing into Ukraine from the Russian Federation". At the NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014, NATO leaders condemned in the strongest terms Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine and demanded Russia to stop and withdraw its forces from Ukraine and from the country’s border. NATO leaders also demanded Russia to comply with international law and its international obligations and responsibilities; end its illegitimate occupation of Crimea; refrain from aggressive actions against Ukraine; halt the flow of weapons, equipment, people and money across the border to the separatists; and stop fomenting tension along and across the Ukrainian border. According to the US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Russian special forces and troops operated to mobilise, lead, equip, and support separatist militias in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine from spring 2014 to the present, although their presence was denied by Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted Russia's military presence in Ukraine in 2015.

Disinfo: There is overwhelming evidence of direct US support of jihadist groups in Syria

In Syria, there is overwhelming evidence of direct US support of Jihadist groups from Al Nusra to ISIS, as shown by the declassified DIA documents and by statements of members from the US establishment.

May 02, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the US supporting or working together with jihadist groups. There is no evidence that US has supported Daesh, al-Nusra or other Jihadist groups in Syria. The US-led military campaign in Syria has been fighting ISIS and Islamic terrorists along with the Global Coalition Against Daesh. Background and a similar case here and here.

Disinfo: Notre-Dame fire might have been arson and a warning to France

This year, two great churches of Paris were the object of fires. In the opinion of the most knowledgeable specialists, the Notre-Dame fire is a criminal arson because it could not come unexpectedly like that, on the beams which make a square meter of section and which are 700 years old. Try burning an oak log and you’ll see what it takes. It’s probably the work of an intelligence service, because the equipment and the spread of the flame required organisation that probably goes beyond a personal initiative. These fires must be a warning. For years, we have been denouncing the transfer of population from non-European countries to Europe, especially to France.

May 02, 2019
Disproof

A conspiracy theory not confirmed by facts. The ongoing police investigation into the Notre Dame fire reveals that it was most likely due to a short circuit in a temporary elevator used for renovation works. The version of arson was not confirmed by any evidence. Conspiracy claims are based on false allegations. A previous arson attack which took place in Paris was due to presence of homeless people in a church, as previously reported. See other disinformation cases on Notre Dame fire.