Russia Demands YouTube Unblock State-Funded Media

Russia's media regulator, Roskomnadzor demanded on Saturday that YouTube unblock dozens of state-funded media channels.

The Roskomnadzor threatened technical interference if the channels were not restored, in what was interpreted as a hint that YouTube could be banned from the Russian internet, if Moscow's demands are not met.

Previously, Russia has taken action against Twitter, Instagram and Facebook in the country.

The YouTube platform, which is owned by Google, started blocking access globally to the Russian channels in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.

YouTube said on March 1 that the channels had violated its policy prohibiting content denying, minimising or trivialising well-documented violent events.

The outlets, RT and Sputnik were the first to be blocked in Europe.

The number of affected channels has expanded to 54 and include TV stations with large audiences such as RBK, NTW and TNT, as well as Russian radio stations and news agencies.