Ukraine calls on French Eutelsat company to stop rebroadcasting Russian TV channels

The National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting reports this on Facebook.

Letters with such an appeal were sent to the general director of the French Eutelsat S.A. operator. She received it during the 52nd meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Assembly of Parties in Paris - the decision-making body of the Intergovernmental Organization Eutelsat. The letter was handed over by a representative of the Embassy of Ukraine in France.

Authors of the appeal emphasized that the company must stop circumventing EU sanctions regarding the ban on the distribution of Russian propaganda channels.

In particular, it was noted that Eutelsat continues retransmission of two Russian satellite television platforms — NTV+ and Tricolor. Their programming network includes propaganda channels such as Russia Today, Channel One, Russia 1, TV Center International, and NTV, all of which are subject to EU sanctions.

Also, these channels are directly or indirectly owned and controlled by the Russian government. They systematically express support for Russian aggression against Ukraine and promote war, genocide of the Ukrainian people, and enmity.

Thus, the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting once again drew the company's attention to the dangers posed by the Russian propaganda machine. It emphasized that with the help of the state-owned media the Russian Federation is distorting reality, due to which it was possible to grow a whole cult of people who see their role in the preserved and restored values   of the Soviet ideology.

“During the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine, the propagandist Russian media resort to incitement to genocide against the Ukrainian people,” the National Council noted.

The letter also reminded that any incitement to commit genocide in accordance with Article III of the Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide is a separate crime, regardless of whether it is directly related to it.  France, as a signatory to the Convention, must take all measures to prevent the commission of the crime and punish it.

It is noted that Eutelsat's continued distribution of Russian propaganda channels, even if they are intended for education or entertainment, promotes violence and hatred and undermines security on the European continent.

“In such an environment, the propaganda of war and the destruction of other nations and states is perceived as common and acceptable information,” the National Council emphasized.

If Eutelsat does not stop rebroadcasting NTV+ and Tricolor channels, Ukraine's National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting will initiate a package of sanctions against the company. Blocking of any activity of the company on the territories of Ukraine on the European continent will also be initiated.