In conflicts, there is always a temptation to mirror the tactics of one’s opponents – which is why it’s depressing to see Ofcom do so by taking Russia Today (RT) off air. The fight is not just between Russia and Ukraine but a democratic view of life and authoritarian rule. In our system, we believe that truth is arrived at through open competition of argument. In Putin’s system, opposition is stymied and censored.
Britain’s experiments of TV censorship in the past have been ineffective as well as illiberal
It’s not as if Britain has to worry about the contagious power of Putin’s ideas undermining our social or political fabric – so why pull the plug on his state-run TV? Leaving these stations to run – China’s state broadcaster or Iran’s Press TV – shows confidence in our system. Censoring them only helps conspiracy theorists who say the UK is somehow afraid of whatever Moscow or Tehran have to say.
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