Ban on broadcasting Russia Today: the EU Court clarifies that it also applies to free websites

Brussels – The Court of Justice of the European Union has clarified that the ban on disseminating content from the Russia Today channel also applies to those who operate a website that is freely accessible to the public and funded solely by users’ voluntary contributions. The ruling stems from criminal proceedings brought in Germany against three individuals accused of repeatedly publishing videos from the RT Germany channel on a freely accessible website. 

Across the EU, “operators” are not permitted to broadcast RT content following the restrictive measures adopted in the context of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. The German judge had referred the matter to the Court for a preliminary ruling, asking whether the three individuals could be classified as “operators” even though they were not acting for profit. 

The Court answered in the affirmative, clarifying that the concept of “operator” encompasses any person responsible, directly or indirectly, for making prohibited content available, even in the context of an unpaid activity. This classification does not depend on either the scope or the duration of the dissemination. 

Only this interpretation, the Court emphasises, makes it possible to prevent the spread of Russian propaganda and to protect public order and the security of the Union, as envisaged by the European legislator.

Article written with the assistance of AI.