Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky conducted a 90-minute interview with four Russian media journalists today in an attempt to speak directly to the Russian people. However, before the interview was even published, the Kremlin scrambled to ban it and ordered that no other outlets report on it. Roskomnadzor, Russia’s state media regulator, issued a warning to Russian media earlier today not to discuss or quote the interview without providing a reason.
The regulator issued a warning to the press not to publish the interview and confirmed that “an investigation has begun in order to identify the level of responsibility and what response will be taken” in relation to the journalists who conducted the interview.
“Russia’s media censor is warning a group of Russian journalists not to publish an interview they just did with Zelensky,” tweeted Max Seddon of the Financial Times’ Moscow Bureau.
“They don’t bother thinking of a reason why this isn’t allowed, but they swear they’ll punish the journalists anyway.”
Despite the warning, President Zelensky shared the entire hour-and-a-half interview on Telegram, a popular Russian messaging app.
The interview was conducted with Meduza, Dozhd TV, Novaya Gazeta, and Kommersant journalists.
Meduza and Dozhd have already been blocked in Russia, and Dozhd has ceased all journalistic activities.
Russia recently passed new laws restricting Russian media’s ability to report on the Ukrainian conflict.
However, some experts believe that the Kremlin’s decision to prohibit the interview could backfire.
“Russia banned Zelensky’s interview with Russian media even before it was published,” Taras, the founder of Ukraine’s Mezha.Media, tweeted.
“They obviously hadn’t heard of the Barbra Streisand effect.”
When attempts to censor information actually increase awareness of it, the Streisand effect occurs.
“How stupid are the bureaucrats at @roscomnadzor to ban an interview with Zelensky just before it’s released?” tweeted Kevin Rothrock, a Russian media analyst.
“Better public relations is simply unimaginable.” The people in charge of Russia’s police state are idiots.”
Another user, @Ari K1000, joked: “My question is, what sanctions can Roskomnadzor levy for showing Zelensky’s interview to the media, which is already blocked on Russian territory?” “Dual blocking?”
