Free Speech News Round-Up: Russian Invasion of Ukraine

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has sparked multiple events regarding free speech and censorship around the world.

Crackdown on Protesters in Russia Continues

The crackdown on Russians protesting the invasion of Ukraine has continued. According to OVD-Info, a human rights watchdog operating in Russia, nearly 6,000 people since February 24, 2002, as of the time of writing, have been arrested.1 These brave protesters were joined over the weekend by hundreds of thousands of protesters in capitals around the world who called for peace.2 The protests today, however, also coincided with the anniversary of the murder of Putin critic Boris Nemtsov.3 Nemtsov led protests in the 2010s, called out corruption in Russia, and claimed to have information directly connecting the Kremlin to Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.4

Protests have also erupted in Belarus, from which Russian troops have moved into northern Ukraine. Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko is supporting changes to the Belarusian Constitution that would lift the country's ban on nuclear weapons, possibly opening the door for Russia to bring nuclear weapons into the country.5 These protests come on the heels of protests around the 2020 Belarusian elections which were repressed.6

Free Speech Groups Call for Peace and an End to Censorship and Propaganda

Various organizations that have stood up for free speech in the past, have voiced their opposition to the war and to the brutal crackdown on opposition in Russia. Over 1000 writers signed a letter from PEN International condemning the war, and expressing solidarity with the people of Ukraine.7 Meanwhile, the Justice for Journalists Foundation, and over 100 other organizations, have signed onto a letter opposing the war and in defense of journalists and independent media.8

The European Union Intends to Ban Russian Media Networks

As part of the sanctions on the Russian government, the European Union is planning to ban Russia Today (RT) and Sputnik, two Russian government-run media networks.9 RT has come under fire in the United Kingdom as well, where Labour leader Keith Starmer, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon have all voiced opposition to the network airing in the UK. The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport wrote a letter to OfCom, Britain's independent communications regulator, regarding RT's legal status.10 The broadcaster Foxtel and public broadcaster SBS in Australia have already yanked Russia Today from its services.11 Germany, too, blocked RT earlier this month. 12

Russian networks have, unsurprisingly, shot back at these bans, with the Sputnik news agency saying, “we advise the European Union to not stop at half measures and just ban the Internet outright.” This did not, of course, stop Russia from banning other EU media in retaliation, blocking Germany's public broadcaster.

The efficacy of an EU wide ban on RT is unclear, especially as RT appears to have a much larger online, rather than TV, presence. OfCom replied to the Secretary writing clearly that, “Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code, which reflects the rules established by Parliament in the Communications Act, requires all licensees to ensure that news – in whatever form – is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality. It is acceptable for broadcasters to present issues from a particular perspective provided that alternative views and opinions are also represented. It would not be acceptable for any of our licensees to broadcast one-sided propaganda.”13 It would seem then that an attempt to ban RT or other networks in Britain would have to be done on the basis that it consists of “one-sided propaganda,” rather than because it shows a different point of view.

A Reminder That Russia Isn't the Only Country With A Propaganda Machine in Service of Empire

Having sifted through a couple dozen op-eds over the last few days, one of the more sober reflections I've found is this op-ed in The Guardian. It's worth a read.