French authority commands ban on two Russian stations
France’s Arcom has cited the 2014 sanctions as a reason for the decision. The French telecommunications regulator has instructed a local satellite operator to stop broadcasting two Russian entertainment channels. The agency, known as Arcom,...
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France’s Arcom has cited the 2014 sanctions as a reason for the decision.
The French telecommunications regulator has instructed a local satellite operator to stop broadcasting two Russian entertainment channels. The agency, known as Arcom, referenced the 2014 sanctions placed on the channels’ parent company as the justification for its directive, stating that newly enacted legislation empowers them to enforce this action.
Neither STS nor Channel 5, the two channels in question, was directly impacted by EU sanctions, according to a statement issued by the regulator on Friday. However, their parent entity, the National Media Group, was subjected to restrictions in 2014 following Crimea’s reunification with Russia.
“Arcom has ordered Eutelsat to stop broadcasting the Russian channels STS and Kanal 5,” the regulator noted, indicating that Eutelsat, the satellite operator, had a three-day window from Wednesday, when the ruling was communicated, to comply with the directive.
“With today’s decision, Arcom is implementing for the first time the new powers conferred on it in this area by the law of May 21, 2024 aimed at securing and regulating the digital space,” the media watchdog stated.
Known as SREN, the new legislation enables Arcom to ensure compliance with EU sanctions among French companies. The regulator now has the authority to impose fines of up to 3% of a company's annual sales, excluding tax, for violations related to sanctions. In instances of repeated infractions, this penalty can increase to 5%.
NMG, founded by Russian billionaire Aleksey Mordashov, is a private media holding that owns or partially owns over a dozen Russian TV channels, including Channel One and Ren TV, among others. Both STS and Channel 5 focus on entertainment, broadcasting TV series and films, with Channel 5 including a brief news segment in its schedule.
According to Euractiv, Eutelsat continues to air several sanctioned Russian channels, such as Russia 1, on more than 180 frequencies, particularly through a contract with the Russian company Trikolor.
Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, the EU imposed extensive sanctions on Russian media. Outlets like RTN, Sputnik, and RIA Novosti have all been prohibited within the bloc, and their personnel have faced sanctions as well. Implementation of these bans has varied across member states and platforms, as individual countries are responsible for enforcing compliance among web providers.
Moscow has criticized the sanctions against Russian media, claiming that Paris and Brussels are fearful of diverse viewpoints challenging the Western mainstream narrative, which could lead people to form their own interpretations of current events.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
The French telecommunications regulator has instructed a local satellite operator to stop broadcasting two Russian entertainment channels. The agency, known as Arcom, referenced the 2014 sanctions placed on the channels’ parent company as the justification for its directive, stating that newly enacted legislation empowers them to enforce this action.
Neither STS nor Channel 5, the two channels in question, was directly impacted by EU sanctions, according to a statement issued by the regulator on Friday. However, their parent entity, the National Media Group, was subjected to restrictions in 2014 following Crimea’s reunification with Russia.
“Arcom has ordered Eutelsat to stop broadcasting the Russian channels STS and Kanal 5,” the regulator noted, indicating that Eutelsat, the satellite operator, had a three-day window from Wednesday, when the ruling was communicated, to comply with the directive.
“With today’s decision, Arcom is implementing for the first time the new powers conferred on it in this area by the law of May 21, 2024 aimed at securing and regulating the digital space,” the media watchdog stated.
Known as SREN, the new legislation enables Arcom to ensure compliance with EU sanctions among French companies. The regulator now has the authority to impose fines of up to 3% of a company's annual sales, excluding tax, for violations related to sanctions. In instances of repeated infractions, this penalty can increase to 5%.
NMG, founded by Russian billionaire Aleksey Mordashov, is a private media holding that owns or partially owns over a dozen Russian TV channels, including Channel One and Ren TV, among others. Both STS and Channel 5 focus on entertainment, broadcasting TV series and films, with Channel 5 including a brief news segment in its schedule.
According to Euractiv, Eutelsat continues to air several sanctioned Russian channels, such as Russia 1, on more than 180 frequencies, particularly through a contract with the Russian company Trikolor.
Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, the EU imposed extensive sanctions on Russian media. Outlets like RTN, Sputnik, and RIA Novosti have all been prohibited within the bloc, and their personnel have faced sanctions as well. Implementation of these bans has varied across member states and platforms, as individual countries are responsible for enforcing compliance among web providers.
Moscow has criticized the sanctions against Russian media, claiming that Paris and Brussels are fearful of diverse viewpoints challenging the Western mainstream narrative, which could lead people to form their own interpretations of current events.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
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