Liz Truss: Ofcom is looking into RT

Sir Keir Starmer calls on government to crack down on propaganda

By Dan Meier

Published: February 23, 2022

Sir Keir Starmer calls on government to crack down on propaganda

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The UK's foreign secretary Liz Truss has invited Ofcom to look into RT's content over the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an issue the watchdog views as a priority .

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called on the government to crack down on the Russian-controlled network's propaganda .

Speaking to Sky News, the foreign secretary responded: I think it's certainly true that it is spouting propaganda on behalf of the Kremlin. One of the things the Kremlin does is use disinformation to try and sow discord in the West - and RT is clearly part of that.

She added on Times Radio: I'm of the view RT broadcasts propaganda and fake news on a regular basis, and is effectively an arm of the Russian state, and I'm sure Ofcom is looking at that.

During Prime Minister's Questions, Boris Johnson announced culture secretary Nadine Dorries has written to Ofcom to review the matter.

A spokesperson for Ofcom told The Independent: All licensees must observe Ofcom's rules, including due accuracy and due impartiality. If broadcasters break those rules, we will not hesitate to step in.

Given the seriousness of the Ukraine crisis, we will examine complaints about any broadcaster's news coverage of this issue as a priority.

It's not the first time the channel has come under scrutiny from Ofcom. In 2019 it was fined £200,000 after the regulator found that RT failed to preserve due impartiality in seven news and current affairs programmes between 17 March and 26 April 2018.

Meanwhile, earlier this month German authorities banned the German-language version of RT, saying its Serbian licence was invalid in Germany.

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LINK:	https://www.tvbeurope.com/business/liz-truss-ofcom-is-looking-into-rt...
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