In an interview with the business magazine Expert, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov defended the censorship measures implemented by Russia during wartime, characterizing the suppression of dissenting information as a necessary reaction to what he described as an age of information warfare directed at the nation.
Peskov admitted that since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian authorities have enforced an “unprecedented” crackdown on media organizations, a time noted for the closure of independent news outlets and a widespread flight of journalists from Russia.
“However, it is essential to consider the broader context. We are currently experiencing a period of wartime censorship, something unparalleled in our nation’s history,” he stated in the interview released on Friday.
“The conflict is not solely taking place on the frontlines; it is also occurring within the realm of information,” Peskov remarked, emphasizing that it would be misguided to ignore media platforms that intentionally aim to undermine Russia’s reputation. Thus, he maintained that the media suppression is “justifiable.”
Since February 2022, the Kremlin has prohibited nearly all public expressions of dissent, banned numerous independent media outlets, such as The Moscow Times, and broadened the scope of punitive legislation targeting opponents of the war in Ukraine.
Peskov specifically criticized Meduza, the exiled news organization based in Latvia, which Russia has designated as a “foreign agent” and an “undesirable organization,” for its portrayal of Russia in a perpetually negative light.
“We will reflect on our previous errors,” Peskov noted. “We want to avoid a return to an era dominated by overly sensationalist media like Meduza, which appeared to focus solely on negative news about Russia or nothing at all.”
Despite his support of current censorship practices, Peskov hinted that the media landscape in Russia may one day become more liberalized, potentially allowing for the emergence of more “neutral” outlets that provide an honest portrayal of both the nation’s challenges and successes.
