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French lawmaker commands two additional Russian channels prohibited
(MENAFN) The French telecommunications regulator, Arcom, has instructed a local satellite operator to stop broadcasting two Russian entertainment channels, STS and Channel 5. The decision is based on sanctions imposed on their parent company, the National Media Group (NMG), in 2014 following Crimea’s reunification with Russia.
Although neither STS nor Channel 5 is directly sanctioned by the EU, Arcom cited newly adopted legislation that grants it the authority to enforce restrictions. The agency ordered satellite operator Eutelsat to comply within three days, starting Wednesday, when the ruling was officially communicated.
“With this decision, Arcom is applying its new regulatory powers under the law of May 21, 2024, which strengthens digital security and compliance with EU sanctions,” the regulator stated. The legislation, known as SREN, allows Arcom to fine companies up to 3% of their annual revenue for violations, increasing to 5% for repeat offenses.
NMG, founded by Russian billionaire Aleksey Mordashov, owns or partially controls several Russian media outlets, including Channel One and Ren TV. STS and Channel 5 primarily broadcast entertainment content such as TV series and movies, though Channel 5 also features a small news segment.
According to Euractiv, Eutelsat still transmits some sanctioned Russian channels, including Russia 1, across more than 180 frequencies, particularly through a contract with the Russian provider Trikolor.
The EU imposed broad restrictions on Russian media following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, banning outlets such as RT, Sputnik, and RIA Novosti while also sanctioning their staff. However, enforcement has varied across member states, leading to delays in implementation.
Moscow has condemned the crackdown, accusing Paris and Brussels of censoring alternative viewpoints to prevent European audiences from questioning the Western mainstream narrative on global events.
Although neither STS nor Channel 5 is directly sanctioned by the EU, Arcom cited newly adopted legislation that grants it the authority to enforce restrictions. The agency ordered satellite operator Eutelsat to comply within three days, starting Wednesday, when the ruling was officially communicated.
“With this decision, Arcom is applying its new regulatory powers under the law of May 21, 2024, which strengthens digital security and compliance with EU sanctions,” the regulator stated. The legislation, known as SREN, allows Arcom to fine companies up to 3% of their annual revenue for violations, increasing to 5% for repeat offenses.
NMG, founded by Russian billionaire Aleksey Mordashov, owns or partially controls several Russian media outlets, including Channel One and Ren TV. STS and Channel 5 primarily broadcast entertainment content such as TV series and movies, though Channel 5 also features a small news segment.
According to Euractiv, Eutelsat still transmits some sanctioned Russian channels, including Russia 1, across more than 180 frequencies, particularly through a contract with the Russian provider Trikolor.
The EU imposed broad restrictions on Russian media following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, banning outlets such as RT, Sputnik, and RIA Novosti while also sanctioning their staff. However, enforcement has varied across member states, leading to delays in implementation.
Moscow has condemned the crackdown, accusing Paris and Brussels of censoring alternative viewpoints to prevent European audiences from questioning the Western mainstream narrative on global events.
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