Fightback against Russian interference should start with RT ban
Ruth Davidson has urged the First Minister to back a review into whether or not Russian propaganda should be allowed to air on UK television.
It follows a chemical attack in the south of England, which the UK Government has confirmed was almost certainly the doing of the Kremlin.
At First Minister’s Questions today, the Scottish Conservative leader invited Nicola Sturgeon to condemn state-sponsored outlet Russia Today, saying a ban would restrict the regime’s ability to interfere in British affairs.
Only this morning, her predecessor Alex Salmond hosted his weekly show despite widespread condemnation, cast doubt on whether the Russians were to blame for the nerve-agent attack at all, and denied RT was a propaganda network.
He even invited a discredited conspiracy theorist to back up his views.
However, in contrast to previous days, the First Minister abandoned her approach, instead choosing to site examples of where individuals who happened to be Russian had made political donations in the UK.
Russia Today’s own justification for existing is to fight an information war “against the whole Western world”.
And even when Ruth highlighted RT in the chamber, some SNP members shouted out that the BBC was a comparable organisation.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:
“I’m glad the First Minister again took the opportunity today to welcome the actions of the UK Government following the incident in Salisbury.
“The way the Russian state seeks to interfere in the affairs of this country is completely unacceptable.
“Part of that operation is the broadcasting of Russia Today which, by its own admission, seeks to undermine Western democracy.
“Ofcom has rightly placed the channel under review.
“We have a proud tradition in this country of a free press which acts without fear or favour.
“That’s everything RT is not, and the First Minister should make her feelings clear on this matter.”