SINGAPORE – Viewers on StarHub’s and Singtel’s TV networks haven’t been capable of tune in to RT, a information channel funded by the Kremlin, since Friday night time (March 4).
Viewers had been as an alternative greeted with the message: “Transmission disruption at supply. We’re working with our companions to renew service. We apologise for the inconvenience triggered.”
When contacted, StarHub and Singtel stated that the problem lies with their content material supplier Globecast, a global media firm.
The Straits Instances (ST) has contacted Globecast for remark.
The disruption comes at the same time as entry to RT, previously generally known as Russia As we speak, is being blocked all throughout Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and varied sanctions imposed in opposition to Russia.
Sputnik, one other Russian state-funded media outlet, has additionally been blocked from broadcasting throughout the European Union.
Information company Agence France-Presse reported the transfer on Sunday by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, quoting her saying the shops “will not have the ability to unfold their lies to justify (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s warfare and to sow division in our union”.
Social media websites Fb and TikTok have additionally blocked entry to RT and Sputnik within the EU, Reuters reported.
Equally, Google has blocked YouTube channels linked to RT and Sputnik throughout Europe.
The tech big has additionally prevented the web sites of varied Russian state-funded media shops from showing in its news-related options, similar to Google Information.
That is a part of measures to cease the unfold of misinformation and disrupt disinformation campaigns on-line, stated Google’s president for world affairs Kent Walker in a weblog put up on Tuesday (March 1).
“This builds on our indefinite pause of monetisation of Russian state-funded media throughout our platforms, that means media shops similar to RT aren’t allowed to monetise their content material or promote on our platforms,” he added.
“Now we have additionally considerably restricted suggestions globally for quite a lot of Russian state-funded media shops throughout our platforms.”
In Singapore, RT remains to be accessible on YouTube and Fb, in line with checks by ST.
When contacted, Fb’s mum or dad firm Meta declined to remark, whereas Google referred ST to Mr Walker’s weblog put up. It has not responded to ST’s additional queries.
Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine on Feb 24 after months of stress on the border, with Russian troops massing and conducting army workouts. Its actions have been extensively condemned by international locations world wide, together with Singapore.
Singapore might be imposing sanctions on Russia for its invasion. These embrace a ban on the export of electronics, computer systems and army items, amongst others, to Russia, stated the Ministry of Overseas Affairs on Saturday (March 5).
Banks and monetary establishments right here can even be banned from doing enterprise with 4 Russian banks.