TikTok Blocks Russian Media Account RIA Novosti

UNSPLASH/Jonathan Kemper ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The TikTok video-sharing app blocked Russian media accounts of RIA Novosti, which has more than two million followers, just days after similar actions were taken against accounts linked to Sputnik and RT International.

In addition, all videos from RIA Novosti disappeared from search results on the platform.

Previously, several videos containing the official statement of Russian President Vladimir Putin or a spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Defense Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov were also blocked or silenced on the grounds of spreading false information.

Reported by ANTARA from Sputnik-OANA, Wednesday, September 25, RIA Novosti has been repeatedly cited by Western media as a successful example in promoting Russia's agenda amid imposed sanctions.

Last week, TikTok removed the Sputnik Belarus account, Sputnik Serbia, Sputnik Afrique, Sputnik Africa, and Sputnik Armenia, among a number of other Sputnik accounts.

On September 4, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against editor-in-chief of international media group Rossiya Segodnya and RT broadcaster! Simonyan, as well as his deputy Anton Anisimov and Elizaveta Brodskaia.

Deputy Director of British Language Information Broadcasting RT Andrey Kiyashko, RT. Konstantin Kalashnikov's Digital Media Project Manager, and a number of other broadcaster employees were also included in the sanctions list.

The US State Department, in parallel steps, tightened operational conditions for Rossiya Segodnya and its subsidiaries by establishing it as "foreign missions."

Under the Foreign Mission Act, they are required to notify the department of all staff working in the United States (US) and disclose all their properties.

US authorities also announced restrictions on visa issuance for individuals they accused of "acting on behalf of a Kremlin-backed media organization."

However, the State Department declined to disclose the names of individuals who were subject to the new visa restrictions.

In response to the sanctions, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller claimed the measures were not addressed to certain Russian journalists, but to employees of companies involved in "secret activities."

Meanwhile, US authorities have sued Kalashnikov and another RT employee, Elena Afanasyeva, on charges of money laundering conspiracy and violating the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).