Russia Makes ‘Unprecedented’ Censorship Admission

The spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted what he called the “unprecedented” military censorship of media in the country, but defended it as necessary in the current circumstances, as Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine thunders on.

Dmitry Peksov, speaking to Russia’s Expert magazine, acknowledged that many publications had closed down and journalists had left the country.

“But do not forget the situation we are in,” Peskov said, translated from Russian, in the interview published on Friday, July 11.

“Now is the time of military censorship—unprecedented for our country.

“After all, the war is also going on in the information space. And it would be wrong to turn a blind eye to the media that are deliberately engaged in discrediting Russia. Therefore, I believe that this regime is justified now.”

According to Reporters Without Borders, an advocacy group focused on media freedom, almost all independent media in Russia have been banned, blocked, or subject to censorship and other sanctions since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“The remaining media are owned by the state or by Kremlin allies. Their employees must follow orders issued by the president’s office regarding subjects to be avoided, and must censor themselves closely,” says Reporters Without Borders.

Most Russians consume news via television, whose channels are heavily controlled by the government.

Peskov praised the Russian media for becoming increasingly “patriotic” in its coverage. “I think that most people have always had a sense of love for Russia and pride in it, but it was not customary for many media outlets to promote such an agenda,” he told Expert.

“I would even say that part of the editorial policy of a number of Russian media was to express skepticism towards their own country.”

But he said there “will come a time when a softer information policy will be in demand, and then we will see the emergence of more neutral media that write about both problems and achievements.”

This is a developing article. Updates to follow.