JAKARTA - French media regulator Arcom has ordered Eutelsat to stop broadcasting two Russian, STS and Channel 5. This comes after an investigation revealed that the satellite provider's commercial agreement has something to do with entities that have been sanctioned.
This official order follows an investigation that began after requests from several non-governmental organizations for broadcast regulators to take action against Eutelsat.
"These channels are controlled by Russian company JSC National Media Group, whose financial resources have been frozen... requiring a ban on its distribution," Arcom said in a statement issued on Friday, March 21.
The National Media Group, Russia's largest private media group, has been sanctioned by the European Union since December 2022.
"Eutelsat fully respects ARCOM's directives, and this request will be implemented soon," the group said in an emailed statement.
Eutelsat added that the National Media Group is not their direct customer, but a customer of an intermediary distributor.
STS and Channel 5 are broadcast through the Eutelsat capacity on the Eutelsat 36C satellite, operated by the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC).
Arcom said Eutelsat was given three days to stop the broadcast. After that the regulator can start a sanctions procedure that can lead to fines.
During the investigation, Arcom also notified several internet providers of inappropriate content on their platform, which was later removed, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Regulators are still investigating several other reported channels that are not in accordance with sanctions, the source said.
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Eutelsat confirmed that until now, they were not aware of any other channel being targeted by Arcom.
France's NGO, Comité Diderot, welcomed Arcom's decision, but noted that the decision only applies to 21 of the 190 frequencies they have reported to regulators in November.
"In our opinion, priority should be given to three channels belonging to the Russian military, Zvezda (ZVEZ.MM), and Spas Orthodox Church channels," said Comité coordinator Diderot,ria Lange, to reporters.
In 2022, Eutelsat halted broadcasts of three Russian TV channels after Arcom ordered it.
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