Russia
(asked on 12th January 2015) - View Source
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, and if so, why, they have supported an informal paper calling for European Union member states' media regulators to censor Russian broadcasters and arguing that the European Union should aim to influence behaviour and attitudes amongst key audiences.
This question was answered on 19th January 2015
The British Government supports freedom of expression and of the media. We do not support censorship of broadcasters, Russian or otherwise. The informal discussion paper, which we and other EU partners have supported, does not advocate media censorship, but proposes a coordinated response to Russian disinformation. The paper makes clear that rules designed to promote objective broadcast media reporting and transparency of interests, and to prevent incitement of hatred or propagation of violence and war, with due respect to freedom of expression must be observed, and complaints investigated by regulators.
The British Government supports freedom of expression and of the media. We do not support censorship of broadcasters, Russian or otherwise. The informal discussion paper, which we and other EU partners have supported, does not advocate media censorship, but proposes a coordinated response to Russian disinformation. The paper makes clear that rules designed to promote objective broadcast media reporting and transparency of interests, and to prevent incitement of hatred or propagation of violence and war, with due respect to freedom of expression must be observed, and complaints investigated by regulators.