by Mathieu Rosemain
PARIS (Reuters) – The Council of State on Friday ordered the French Audiovisual Regulatory Authority (Arcom) to review its decision concerning the distribution of three Russian television channels by the French satellite operator Eutelsat, at the following an appeal by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Following Arcom’s refusal to take action against Eutelsat, RSF asked the Council of State to invalidate the decision by which Arcom declared itself incompetent to force the group to stop broadcasting the Rossiya 1 and Perviy channels. Kanal and NTV, particularly in Russia and Ukraine.
The three Russian-language channels broadcast television programs that “undermine human dignity” and “incite hatred and violence against certain populations and minorities”, argued RSF in its complaint to the Council of State. , according to the court’s decision.
These television programs tend to legitimize “the illegal intervention of the Russian army in Ukraine”, while failing to offer a plurality of points of view, RSF further argued.
“This decision is a victory for the right to reliable information, and for the fight against the Kremlin’s war propaganda,” said Christophe Deloire, secretary general of RSF.
Arcom said in a statement that it would consider RSF’s requests “at short notice”.
“Eutelsat undertakes (…) to comply without delay with any new decision that may be taken by Arcom,” said the company for its part.
(Report Mathieu Rosemain, French version Federica Mileo, edited by Matthieu Protard)
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