Meta Takes Action: Global Ban on Russian State Media Networks
1 min read
By Joshua Benedict
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has banned several Russian state-run media outlets, including RT (Russia Today) and Rossiya Segodnya, due to their involvement in “foreign interference activities.” The tech giant cited these outlets’ use of deceptive strategies to influence public opinion and evade detection on its platforms.
This move, which takes effect in the coming days, represents an escalation from Meta’s previous actions, which only restricted the reach of Russian state media and banned them from advertising on its platforms.
Russian state media outlets have long faced criticism for allegedly attempting to influence political events in Western nations. Meta’s latest step aligns with global efforts to curb the spread of disinformation and foreign interference, particularly after heightened scrutiny following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Neither RT nor the Russian embassy in Washington has responded to the ban. Meta’s decision underscores its ongoing commitment to combatting disinformation and ensuring its platforms are not used for covert political influence campaigns.
