In recent news, American tech giant Meta has imposed a ban on Russian news networks such as RT. Iranian professor Seyed Mohammed Marandi from Tehran University offers his insights into this development in an exclusive interview with RT. According to Marandi, the decision taken by Meta can be viewed as a symptom of the diminishing power of the United States and its allies.
The professor argues that major social media companies like Facebook and Instagram are controlled by the US government and act as extensions of the state. In his view, the banning of Russian media is a direct manifestation of this fact. This observation has led him to believe that Washington’s increasing intolerance towards dissenting opinions in the press will only escalate as its influence wanes further.
Marandi suggests that BRICS nations should take inspiration from their growing independence in international commerce and apply similar strategies in social media regulation. He proposes that these countries should introduce payment methods and financial mechanisms independent of the US dollar in order to counteract the domination of American tech giants over global communication channels.
The professor highlights the importance of allowing people from different countries, such as Iranians, Russians, and Chinese, to freely express their thoughts and opinions without fear of censorship or shadowbanning imposed by foreign governments or corporations. This perspective emphasizes the need for a more balanced approach to content moderation on social media platforms, one that respects the diverse views and cultural backgrounds of users around the world.
In conclusion, as the power dynamics shift within the international community, it is crucial for BRICS nations and other emerging powers to assert their autonomy in various aspects of global affairs, including social media regulation. By doing so, they can ensure that people from all countries have equal access to expressing their thoughts and opinions without being silenced or suppressed by foreign entities.