Espreso. Global

Sanctions loopholes and French news anchor help Russian disinfo, propaganda to stay on air in Europe

10 June, 2022 Friday
01:21

Eutelsat is in no hurry to shut down Russian state TV and radio companies, or the Russian Defense Ministry, in fact, it is dragging its feet and waiting for a political decision from the French government or the EU

A Russian-language Estonian online platform called Mozhem Obyasnit (We Can Explain) and the Verstka publication take a deep dive into the story in a joint investigation.

Russian TV continues to broadcast in Europe despite the sanctions. They are assisted by their longtime partner - French operator Eutelsat. It is quarter owned by the French government, and Russia also has a stake in it. Its share, apparently, is a sizable one comprising 4 out of the 5 satellites Eutelsat operates. Only one of them belongs to France, the rest are Russia’s, operated by Eutelsat but owned by Moscow.

Thanks to this network of five "shared" satellites, Russian state channels continue to broadcast in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Thus, using the Hotbird 13 satellite, people in Germany can still watch any Russian state broadcasting channels, for no charge. 

In early May, CEO Eva Berneke said Eutelsat will remain "neutral" regarding the political conflict in which Russia was involved (she did not use the word "war"). She also said that the decision to exclude Russian providers remains a matter solely for the French authorities. So far, the French satellite company has stated that no regulatory or other competent authority has asked them to stop broadcasting.

Note that other operators have turned off the broadcasts of all Russian propaganda and disinformation channels, as they use satellites owned by the United States.

Their decision to stop broadcasting was sparked by a new package of US sanctions adopted in early May against pro-war Russian media. The White House explained that the sanctions apply to the three most popular Russian TV companies, which are directly or indirectly controlled by the state: Perviy Kanal (Channel One), the Russian State TV and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK - Ed), (Russia-1, Russia-24, Kultura) and NTV.

EU sanctions did not oblige all countries to block all Russian state TV or radio broadcasting companies. The ban (in early March - Ed.) only specified Russia Today and Sputnik. As for the VGTRK, Brussels has so far only imposed sanctions on its leadership and staff. Therefore, formally, France is acting in accordance with the sanctions, but the government is in no hurry to completely block Russian propaganda and disinformation.

However, activists may push the government to move further on this issue. A petition against Russian propagandists using Eutelsat satellites is now being actively circulated in France. The idea is to kick the main Russian providers off Eutelsat satellites and replace them with others that broadcast independent international programs. Then the Kremlin's monopoly on information in Russia could be broken.

But there is another factor that could influence the operator's decision - US sanctions, which the company continues to ignore. However, if Eutelsat postpones blocking Russian channels that have already come under US sanctions, it risks falling foul of secondary US sanctions itself. So far, Washington has not applied them to anyone - it has only threatened several banks. But Eutelsat may be the first company to see those threats become reality.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Friday
29 March
09:53
Russia loses 820 soldiers, 27 armored vehicles and 56 UAVs  in a day — Ukraine's General Staff
09:30
ISW reveals how much Russia has advanced in Ukraine this year
2024, Thursday
28 March
22:30
Exclusive
Russia uses guided aerial bombs, poisonous grenades, phosphorus in eastern Ukraine
22:13
Ukraine repels 11 Russian attacks in Bakhmut direction amidst 48 combat clashes over last day — General Staff
22:00
Number of missing persons exceeds 50,000 during full-scale war in Ukraine - Ukrainian Police
21:44
In Melitopol, Russians use cars with Pelena EW system to block mobile phones, protect against explosive devices
21:30
OPINION
'Special military operation' against Ukraine has become Russia's 'holy war’
21:16
Aid for Ukraine is critically important: Zelenskyy talks to House Speaker Johnson
21:01
Deputy commander of 3rd Assault Brigade tells about Russian priority in Avdiivka sector
20:46
OPINION
Another Russian offensive on Kharkiv...
20:30
Exclusive
Russian threat looms over Poland, government does not care — Polish politician Czech
20:15
Exclusive
Defence Express reveals details on Russia’s use of UMPB D-30SN bomb in Kharkiv strike on March 27
19:57
Russian military aircraft crashes into sea near Sevastopol: pilot ejects
19:40
Exclusive
100,000 troops not enough for Kharkiv offensive: Ukrainian military suggest what Russia needs to capture city 
19:19
President Zelenskyy names when Russia may launch new major offensive on Ukraine
19:00
Special vehicles, drones and weapons: Germany’s new aid package for Ukraine
18:39
Russian Orthodox Church declares war against Ukraine "holy" 
18:20
Russians refuse to let their military, who signed contracts for 6 months, leave front line
17:59
Russia targets village in Kharkiv region, killing and injuring two people
17:40
Evidence of warming: Ukrainian scientists discover new plant species near Vernadsky Research Base
17:20
Exclusive
Ukrainian Armed Forces Reservists Council names potential tasks of Russian subversive groups in Kyiv region
17:00
Exclusive
Through Kurakhove to Vuhledar: Ukrainian military on Russian advancement attempts
16:45
Exclusive
Ukraine's south and east are Putin's "minimum program" — SBU Colonel Kostenko
16:30
OPINION
Lukashenko is Putin's tool to destabilize Europe - Vitaly Portnikov
16:15
Russia has no resources: Ukraine refutes fake about Russia’s preparation to attack Kharkiv
16:00
Fighting for Krynky: what current situation is on east bank of Kherson region?
15:45
Weapons, border, trade: governments of Ukraine and Poland hold talks
15:30
Ukraine is working on strategy to overcome demographic crisis
15:15
UK intelligence tells about Russification measures in occupied Ukraine
15:00
Espreso and Holka: We see manifestations of censorship and attempt to remove material about Shuliak and Kubrakov from site
14:40
Russian troops are preparing to repel attacks of Ukrainian subversive groups in Sevastopol
14:25
Ukrainian in Hollywood Ivanna Sakhno breaks contract with Netflix to avoid playing Russian
14:10
Russians in Crimea deploy military equipment near residential areas
13:50
UK company boosts Ukraine's drone defense – Reuters
13:30
OPINION
China is encroaching on Europe
13:10
At least 14,085 civilians killed by Russian invasion, UN says
12:53
Ethnic hatred grows in Russia after terrorist attack in Moscow region
12:27
Kyiv steps up security measures amid intensified Russian attacks
12:10
Russian aggression kills 537 children in Ukraine
11:55
Review
Russia tests missiles capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads against Ukraine. Serhiy Zgurets column
More news