Despite the BBC’s decision to resume journalistic activities in Russia, CBC and Radio-Canada are choosing to maintain the suspension announced last Friday in reaction to the announcement of a new Russian law providing for heavy prison sentences in case of dissemination of “false information about the army”.
Updated yesterday at 12:41 p.m.
“We have seen what is happening and we are maintaining our decision made last Friday for the moment, told us in an email Marc Pichette, first director, promotion and public relations of Radio-Canada. We are determined to continue our coverage in Russia. Our journalist, Tamara Alteresco is currently outside Russia and is taking a few days off. The CBC/Radio-Canada office continues to operate in Moscow. These are mostly local Russian staff who make sure to keep the office running.
Last Friday, the state-owned company argued that it was suspending its activities in Russia, “the time to clarify the scope of this new law”, saying it wanted to ensure the safety of its journalists and employees stationed in Moscow.
Radio-Canada is thus acting along the same lines as all the other major North American media based in Moscow, all of which have announced the suspension of their activities in Russia for the time being, be it CNN, the New York Timesthe washington post or the conventional TV networks ABC, CBS or NBC.
The BBC news service, which had indicated that it had restored shortwave radio transmission in Ukraine and parts of Russia, therefore remains the only one to resume its English-language services from Russia for the time being.
The British public broadcaster said it had “considered the implications of the new legislation as well as the urgent need to report from within Russia” and “after careful consideration” had “decided to resume reporting in English from Russia tonight (Tuesday, March 8)”.
“We will tell this crucial part of the story independently and impartially, adhering to the BBC’s strict editorial standards. The safety of our personnel in Russia remains our number one priority,” the outlet added.
With Agence France-Presse