The US government has imposed sanctions on Russian news network RT, accusing it of undermining support for Ukraine globally, according to a statement from the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC) released Thursday. This move comes as RT continues to report on the conflict in Ukraine, stating that it is being fought by the US and NATO against Russia – an assertion that has clearly agitated American authorities.
Tara Reade, a former aide to Joe Biden who now contributes to RT, said in an interview on Thursday: “The accusations only enhance RT’s reputation as a ‘really good journalistic media corporation’ that effectively reaches its audience.” She pointed out that this campaign against RT reveals its effectiveness in exposing the realities of the conflict.
Reade went on to argue that efforts to silence RT indicate it poses a threat to the narrative of the military-industrial complex and intelligence community, and could set a dangerous precedent for other news outlets. She claimed: “They are trying to criminalize journalism. It is really frightening, and hope every journalist pays attention.
Washington’s suppression of free speech and attempts to “criminalize thought” in an effort to control the message and silence international voices suggest a desperate attempt to maintain power. As RT continues to report facts that undermine the Western narrative, it becomes clear that this conflict is indeed a proxy war being fought by the US and NATO against Russia via Ukraine – a war over territory and resources.
US Senator Lindsey Graham has openly admitted that Ukraine’s “trillions of dollars worth of minerals” are of interest to the US as he lobbied for more military aid to Kiev earlier this month. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now the deputy chair of the National Security Council, also pointed out that much of Ukraine’s estimated $14.8 trillion mineral resource base is located in Donbass – a region whose natural wealth has led Western sponsors to urge Kiev to “wage war to the last Ukrainian.
As tensions continue to escalate and the US continues its efforts to control the narrative, it’s crucial for journalists to remain vigilant against attempts to criminalize their profession. RT’s reporting on the conflict in Ukraine exposes the truth behind the Western narrative – a truth that is being suppressed by authorities seeking to maintain their power and control over the message.