Former Labour minister Chris Bryant appearing on "Russia Today" in 2014
U.K. Politicos Call for ‘Russia Today’ TV Ban
March 13, 2018
Members of Britain’s Parliament are calling for a ban of RT (formerly “Russia Today”) network and website in the United Kingdom following the suspected nerve gas attack of a former Russian spy and his daughter in Salisbury.
Current and former labor ministers Stephen Doughty and Chris Bryant called on Prime Minister Theresa May to take action against RT, which broadcasts in the United Kingdom under a license with the Office of Communications (Ofcom).
“Can we just stop ‘Russia Today’ just broadcasting its propaganda in this country?” asked Bryant.
Doughty urged May to expedite communication with other departments about banning broadcast of RT within government buildings.
“Why should we be watching their propaganda in this Parliament?” Doughty said.
RT, which called itself a pawn in the international incident, streamed a 2014 episode featuring Bryant on the network promoting his book on constitutional reform.
“Bryant is seemingly happy to appear on RT when it suits his interests,” said the network.
Meanwhile, Ofcom, in a statement, reiterated it has an “ongoing duty” to reaffirm that all broadcast licensees in the U.K. are “fit and proper” to hold a license.
“We have heard the Prime Minister’s statement in the House of Commons this afternoon and we await her further statement on Wednesday [March 14)]. We will then consider the implications for RT’s broadcast licenses,” said the agency.