Russia summoning heads of US media outlets

Russia’s foreign ministry has said it plans to summon the heads of United States media outlets in Moscow to a meeting next Monday to notify them of tough measures in response to US restrictions against Russian media.

 “If the work of the Russian media – operators and journalists – is not normalised in the United States, the most stringent measures will inevitably follow,” ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said. “To this end, on Monday, June 6, the heads of the Moscow offices of all American media will be invited to the press centre of the Russian Foreign Ministry to explain to them the consequences of their government’s hostile line in the media sphere.”

A spokesperson for the US State Department said Washington supports access to media and the internet for Russians, who are being subjected to censorship by their own government.

Washington has imposed sanctions against the most highly-viewed state-run Russian TV stations, accusing them of spreading disinformation to bolster Russia’s war in Ukraine.