Red. Media and its supporters strongly condemned the sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) against it and its founder Hüseyin Doğru on May 20. The sanctions form part of the 17th sanctions package imposed by the EU against Russia, which covered journalists whom it accuses of belonging to the “military machinery.”
The EU considered Doğru an agent of Russia because he was formerly a journalist for Red Fish, an outfit that was previously under RT or Ruptly, which is operated by the Russian state. The sanctions now ban their operations throughout the EU.
The EU is pressuring red. Media because of its reportage on the US and Israel bombings and violence in Gaza, and on the protests and movements against genocide in Germany, where its office is now based.
Doğru believes that the German sanctions are linked with the crackdown on the people’s resistance. He said that he was targeted to discourage other journalists from exposing the crimes committed of the most powerful countries in the world.
In the Philippines, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan expressed support for Doğru and for red. Media.
“The disinformation war against red. Media and Hüseyin Doğru is a deliberate campaign to discredit and undermine their credibility and an attempt at silencing a journalist whose views are critical of the ongoing US-Israeli Zionist genocide of Palestinians,” Bayan stated on June 4.
Since no case has been filed against Doğru, the sanctions are therefore a form of censorship and a violation of his fundamental rights as a journalist, according to Bayan. This is also a penalty for his stand with Palestine and his reports on the struggles for national and social liberation worldwide.
“We deeply appreciate red. Media and Doğru’s long-time dedication to making the Filipino struggle more visible internationally, which underscores the interconnectedness of global struggles and the importance of journalists who amplify the voices of those fighting for social justice,” according to Bayan.
Bayan and other supporters of red. Media are calling for the defense of press freedom in the face of attacks by imperialist countries and to further amplify the struggles of oppressed peoples.
The Altermidya Network also released a statement of support, as did its member Bulatlat. Members of Altermidya joined their fellow independent journalists in holding accountable those who attack press freedom in attempts to suppress the media.
“Amid attempts to silence the media, we must defend fellow journalists facing repression, and collectively persist in telling stories being buried deliberately by those escaping accountability,” it said.