“Concerned about the worsening position of the Russian media in Latin America. Today it became known that the Bolivian operator decided to disconnect the RT channel from broadcasting in Bolivia, ”the diplomat said.
As noted by Zakharova, it is alarming that this happened after the November 15 broadcasting of RT was stopped in Ecuador.
“To say that this is a coincidence, I think, is pointless. To say that it just coincided in time with the changes that are taking place in the country, this is not a serious position. Of course, this is no accident, of course, this is a consequence of the political course that was announced. There is no doubt, because we are often told about certain coincidences, and then it turns out that this is a system, ”she pointed out.
As the diplomat emphasized, one of the evidence testifying in favor of this version is that the shutdowns were made in both cases without explanation.
“We really hope that this is not an attempt to globally drown out alternative sources of information by discriminating against some of them. Otherwise, we will be forced to regard such actions as the movement of both Bolivia and Ecuador in the opposite direction from observing international obligations to ensure free access to information and freedom of expression. Of course, it is unacceptable for the media to become hostages of a volatile political environment. The rights of both journalists and the media to safety and the free distribution of materials should be guaranteed regardless of how they cover certain events, ”Zakharova concluded.
Earlier, non-state operator and leader of the Bolivian pay-TV market Cotas announced the termination of RT broadcasting in Spanish in Bolivia.
The decision was announced without explanation. It is expected that the broadcasting of the channel will stop on December 2.
On November 15, Ecuador’s National Cable Network disconnected RT from broadcasting. The shutdown occurred without prior notice and explanation of reasons.