Muvija and William James

LONDON (Reuters – Britain requested the media regulator review the broadcast license for Russian news channel RT. The Kremlin had recognized two rebel territories in eastern Ukraine. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Wednesday.

According to a leaked letter to The Times, Culture Secretary Nadine Dories raised concerns with the regulator about RT being part of Moscow’s information armoury. She feared that RT would spread false disinformation regarding the Ukraine crisis.

Johnson, when asked by parliamentarians about the matter, stated that Dorries had asked Ofcom (the regulator) to look at the licence, however cautioned it should have the right to make its own determinations.

Johnson said that the country Johnson resides in believes in free speech. Johnson said that it is important for Ofcom to make the decisions about which media outlets to ban. That’s exactly what Russia does.

RT reacted to criticisms from British politicians by saying they appeared to want to interfere in the affairs a regulator that was supposed to remain independent.

Russian officials believe that RT will allow Moscow to be competitive with global media giants headquartered in Britain or the United States. They claim that RT offers a different view of the globe.

Critics claim that RT is the propaganda arm for the Russian state. It broadcasts news in English and Arabic and Spanish, and aims at destroying confidence in Western institutions.

Ofcom indicated that complaints over broadcasters’ news coverage in Ukraine and Russia would be given priority due to the gravity of the situation.

The regulator stated that “Given Ukraine’s seriousness, we will investigate complaints regarding any broadcaster’s coverage of this topic as a priority”

British politicians appear to try to direct or indirect interfere in institutions they promote as independent and free from political pressure, Anna Belkina said, RT deputy editor chief.

“These comments again undermine the independence and credibility of the UK regulator.”