RT, the former Russia Today, could be stripped off its UK broadcast licence after it emerged the culture secretary has been asked to review the operations of the channel.
Concern over RT’s support for and by the Putin regime has been growing in the light of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine.
Speaking during prime minister’s questions, Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer asked for Ofcom to intervene. “Russia Today is his [Putin’s] personal propaganda tool. I can see no reason why it should be allowed to continue broadcasting in this country.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed Nadine Dorres had already asked the media regulator to review RT’s licence. “We live in a democracy…and we live in a country that believes in free speech and I think it’s important we should leave it up to Ofcom rather than politicians to decide which media organisations to back, that’s what Russia does.”
In 2017, when foreign secretary, Mr Johnson criticised Labour MP’s for “validating” RT by appearing on the channel.
There have also been calls for Alba Party leader Alex Salmond to drop his programme The Alex Salmond Show from RT amid accusations that the Scottish party is s spreading Russian disinformation.
