Photo credit: mos.ru / fragment (CC BY 4.0)
Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov advised Washington to pay attention to the observance of the freedom of the media and equal access to information in their country. The ambassador commented on the US State Department's claim that Russia staged a "full-scale attack on freedom of speech."
According to Antonov, these accusations are contrary to the facts. Russia provides an opportunity for everyone to present a different point of view. The Ambassador recalled that quite recently an interview with the US Ambassador was published by the Russian media. John Sullivan was able to freely express Washington's point of view without any problems.
It stands in stark contrast with the attitude of the Western media towards Russians, Anatoly Antonov emphasized. The Ambassador called this attitude an information blockade. Russian publications are called "propaganda" and prohibited.
The US authorities also discriminate against Russian journalists. They are banned from broadcasting, they are not allowed to attend official events, it is difficult for them to obtain a visa, their bank accounts are blocked, and US intelligence agencies are trying to force Russian journalists to cooperate with them, the ambassador said.
Russkiy Mir
