As the diplomat noted, the depressing state of affairs with freedom of speech and the rights of journalists in Ukraine, to which the Kiev authorities have brought their country, has long deserved a targeted response from an international official endowed with appropriate powers.
In her publication, Zakharova commented on the statement by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba that Ukraine "has extensive experience and is making systemic efforts in countering disinformation within the state and in the international arena."
“The experience is really considerable.
Especially if we take into account the extremely remarkable methods used by Kiev to combat what they call “disinformation,” she said.
Zakharova recalled that in Ukraine "everything is in use": from the closure of TV channels (112 Ukraine, NewsOne and ZIK) to the direct intervention of special services in the work of the media "with the distribution of manuals", overt pressure, up to threats "with the transition to physical violence by neo-Nazi radicals ”.
She also cited as an example the blocking and bans in Ukraine of resources that do not fit into the mainstream, including Channel One, NTV, VGTRK, MIA Rossiya Segodnya, Spas TV and others.
The diplomat attributed the ban on access to 468 Russian websites and social media platforms on Ukrainian territory to the same problem.
“It is required to respond promptly, fully and frankly to the flagrant practice of suppressing freedom of speech.
And of course, Ribeiro's words about "Ukraine's commitment to democratic values" look very strange against the general background of the state of affairs with the media and freedom of the press in this country.
Perhaps she meant Kievan Rus? "
- concluded Zakharova.
The representative of the ministry expressed the opinion that perhaps the OSCE should "more clearly articulate the unacceptability of such a policy", and not just "wish success" in the search for "the right methods of combating disinformation."
In May, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the situation with the infringement of media freedom remains difficult in Ukraine and is rapidly deteriorating in the Baltic countries.
They stressed that in Ukraine "discrimination against the media and censorship are being legislated."