Telegram has recently blocked access to several Russian state-owned media channels in a range of European countries, including Poland, Belgium, France, Italy, Greece, Latvia, and the Netherlands. These channels, which include prominent outlets such as RIA Novosti, Izvestia, NTV, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta, have been made unavailable to users in these regions. Telegram’s decision to restrict access was not publicly acknowledged by either the company or European officials, but affected users now see messages indicating that the content violated local laws.
The move has prompted a strong response from Russian authorities, who have condemned it as “political censorship.” Moscow’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused European regulators of infringing upon the rights of Russian journalists and threatened retaliatory actions unless international human rights organizations intervene. The Russian government has also pledged to take “symmetrical retaliatory measures” in response to the blocking of its media outlets across Europe.
The restrictions come after the European Union imposed sanctions earlier in 2024 against Russian state media, accusing them of spreading propaganda that aligns with Russia’s military interests. These sanctions followed similar actions in 2022, when the EU blocked access to Russia Today and Sputnik. Moscow retaliated by restricting access to over 80 European media outlets, including major news outlets like Politico and Der Spiegel. Both sides continue to engage in a media standoff as tensions escalate.
Telegram’s role in this controversy comes amid increasing scrutiny of the messaging app. Once a relatively neutral platform, Telegram has faced growing pressure from European authorities due to concerns about illegal activities occurring on the service, including extremist recruitment and drug sales. The arrest of Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, in France for various alleged offenses, including facilitating illegal content distribution, has intensified these concerns, contributing to the app’s growing regulatory challenges in Europe.
