Support The Moscow Times!

Kiev Releases Names of Blacklisted Russian Journalists

Authorities in Kiev have published a list of 49 Russian journalists and others facing a ban on entering Ukraine, targeting major Russian media moguls like Konstantin Ernst and Dmitry Kiselyov.

In addition to Rossia Segodnya head Kiselyov and Rossia 1 director Ernst, the list features other prominent figures in the state-run media landscape, like RT's Margarita Simonyan and head of NewsMedia holding Ashot Gabrelyanov.

The list was revealed at a meeting of the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council on Thursday, after which it was passed on to Ukraine's Security Service where a final decision would be made on whether or not to blacklist all the named individuals, Interfax reported.

Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly accused Russian media of waging a propaganda campaign over the conflict, though Russia's Foreign Ministry has hit back and said Kiev is infringing on freedom of speech by restricting Russian journalists.

Earlier this month, Ukraine's broadcasting council sought to limit broadcasts of Russian state-run news programs in the country, having asked for a court order to ban broadcasts of LifeNews, RT and RenTV. That followed an earlier ban of NTV, Rossia 24 and several other Russian channels, RIA Novosti reported.

Read more