Source: European Parliament
To date, the EU has imposed restrictive measures in the broadcasting sector in the form of the broadcast or dissemination restrictions only in clearly defined circumstances, most notably in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as set out in Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP[1] and Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014[2] concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine.
The restrictions on the broadcasting and dissemination of content of certain media outlets (designated entities), including those under the control of the Russian Federation in this sanctions regime are justified by the designated outlets’ essential and instrumental role in systematically spreading disinformation and propaganda campaigns in support of that war of aggression, and by their permanent direct or indirect control by the leadership of the Russian Federation as justified in the relevant statement of reasons.
Under the Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP and Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 any proposal to consider restrictive measures against a media outlet would need to be assessed in light of such criteria, namely substantial evidence of systemically spreading disinformation and propaganda and a demonstrable link to Russian state control.
Any potential restrictive measures on media outlets operating within the jurisdiction of the EU would fall under the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and require unanimous agreement by the Council.