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Disinfo: The Lithuanian authorities are violating the right of Russian speaking people to get information in the mother tongue

Summary

The decision of the Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission to temporarily dismiss “RTR Planet” from Lithuanian cable TV networks is politically motivated and violating human rights.

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This decision violates the right of access to information.

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The decision aims to refuse the possibility of Russian speaking people to communicate and get information in their mother tongue. It is a political decision.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation message about the violation of the human rights and freedom of the speech in Lithuania.

The Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission found that TV channel “RTR Planeta” violated the Lithuanian Law on the provision of the information to the public. In particular, the Commission found that paragraph 1(3) and paragraph 2 of Article 19 of the Republic of Lithuania Law on Public Information were violated. A segment from the news programme “Vesti" disseminated on January 13 2021 about events in Vilnius on January 13 was judged to be disinformation and inciting hatred.

This was not the first time that the TV channel “RTR Planeta” has been found in breach of the Lithuanian law. This fact allows the Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission to dismiss this TV channel from local cable networks for 12 months or longer.

Russian speaking people in Lithuania have a lot of possibilities to receive information in their mother tongue (including other Russian TV channels in the local cable networks). The use of the Russian language in private communication is also not restricted.

Lithuania has implemented this practice of a temporary cutting off of the retransmission of foreign TV channels on cable networks for violation of Lithuanian laws since 2013. The European Commission recognised that this practice complies with EU rules.

See similar accusations about Lithuanian and other Baltic states in the following cases: Latvia is persecuting Russian media; The Baltic states are persecuting the Russian media; Russian media are being discriminated in Baltic states.

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Sputnik Lithuania - Russian (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 231
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11/02/2021
  • Language/target audience: Russian
  • Country: Lithuania
  • Keywords: Human rights, Russian language, Freedom of speech, Media, Russophobia
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British children are deprived of “breast milk” and “mothers”

British newborns are actually deprived of “breast milk” and “mothers”. In order not to offend “gender-neutral” patients, hospitals in Brighton and Sussex have introduced new terminology.

Feb 10, 2021
Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the moral decay of Europe and propaganda of the morally corrupt West, and an over-interpretation of an instruction on inclusive language from the university hospitals of Brighton and Sussex. The instruction contains details on how to address non-binary and transgender people giving birth. The authors emphasise the necessity of an individual approach. The first point in the instructions to midwife is:

Treat people as individuals and uphold their dignity.

The instruction continues:

If we only use gender neutral language, we risk marginalising or erasing the experience of some of the women and people who use our services. We understand the fear of erasure, however marginalising other groups because they are rare will not improve care for women. We believe in human rights-based care and we can add inclusive language to our current language without subtracting anyone.

The demo with torchlights will give 146 percent support for Navalny

The plans of [Navalny’s associate] Leonid Volkov, who has suggested to use torchlights on 14 February all over the country, have been disclosed. Nothing needs to be done, all is already drawn and ready. The videos are already prepared.

Why does Volkov suggest a demonstration with torchlights outside the houses? Because they are easy to manipulate with computer graphics. They doctored the film with the “palace”. Imagine what they can do here. There will be 146 percent of support.

Feb 10, 2021
Disproof

An attempt to belittle the demonstrations and, in advance, create a narrative about its insignificance. Similar attempts are described here.

The number "146 percent" relates to a meme in Russia, where the turnup in the parliamentary elections in some regions amounted to 146 percent.

Russia is prepared for any kind of mess the West will come up with

Do you expect some kind of mess? The mess is already here.

The sanctions would be there, no matter what we do. We can do nothing, we can act, there will be sanctions against Russia anyway. The Democrats in the US seems to have outlined a strategy on relations with Russia for the upcoming six months. It will likely contain new concepts of economic restrictions against our country.

They will come up with something; remembering the anniversary of the Crimeas reunification with Russia might be the pretext. They do not need any reason. We must not forget that there this year will be presidental elections in Syria. The US introduced the Caesar Act and this will likely mean sanctions. All is very predictable and accounted for. Our authorities are confident.

Feb 10, 2021
Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about Western sanctions imposed on Russia trying to imply that the sanctions are groundless and used to suppress Russia.

EU sanctions and other restrictive measures were first applied (opens in a new tab)in 2014 following the Russian illegal annexation of Crimea. Since then, the list has been updated(opens in a new tab). The United States also imposed(opens in a new tab) sanctions on Russia after the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity in 2014.