Russia Today is likely to lose its distribution on Sky when measures designed to remove the Kremlin-controlled channel come into force.
The UK version of RT is broadcast via Luxembourg on Astra 2G, which would come under sanctions being brought in by the European Parliament. Freesat would also lose the controversial channel, though it’s possible that DTT distribution via Freeview could continue, pending the outcome of an urgent Ofcom investigation.
Britain’s media regulator is currently looking into 15 possible breaches of the Broadcasting Code on rules round impartiality.
In a Tweet, culture secretary Nadine Dorres said: In a tweet, Ms Dorries said: ‘Shortly, the French satellite [sic] which broadcasts Russia Today (RT) in both the EU and UK will be switched off.
“This means RT will no longer be available via Sky.”
Shortly, the French satellite which broadcasts Russia Today (RT) in both the EU and UK will be switched off. This means RT will no longer be available via Sky.
Putin’s polluting propaganda machine will now have severely restricted access into British homes via our TV screens.
— Rt Hon Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) March 1, 2022
The European sanctions were thought to take effect as early as Tuesday evening, but as of 13.00 GMT, RT had been removed from channel 511 of the Sky EPG, but was still available on the alternative 885 slot.
On Tuesday, foreign secretary Liz Truss expressed concern that were the UK ban transmissions of Russia Today itself, there may be consequences for broadcasters in Moscow, such as the BBC.
Last August, the BBC’s correspondent Sarah Rainsford was refused a Visa after 20 years of reporting from Russia.
SES said the UK carriage of RT was a matter for Sky.
Meanwhile, Google has joined Apple and Meta in removing the RT and Sputnik mobile news apps from its Play Store.
