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POLITIKOFF

Netflix refuses to maintain Russian propaganda channels

Politiko 2022-03-01 14:26:24

Netflix says it will not broadcast Russian state television channels, which the broadcaster may be required to host under Russian law starting in March.

"Given the current situation, we have no plans to add these channels to our service," a Netflix spokesman told The Hollywood Reporter.

In December 2021, Netflix was added by Russian regulator Roskomnadzor to its audiovisual registry because SVOD reached over 100,000 subscribers. Consequently, Netflix is theoretically required as part of a law - known locally as the Vitrina TV law - to distribute 20 Russian television channels of free news, sports and entertainment. Channels include Channel One, NTV and Spa, a channel operated by the Russian Orthodox Church. Channel One is understood to be in line with the Kremlin and is likely to broadcast Putin's propaganda.

Netflix refuses to maintain Russian propaganda channels

It is unclear how Netflix plans to defy the law and what impact it will have on its Russian service. Netflix has big plans for Russia, launching the first original Russian series, "Anna K.", a modern retelling of Leo Tolstoy's classic novel, Anna Karenina, and with several series and movies in the local language pending. Netflix declined to comment when asked by The Hollywood Reporter if the war in Ukraine would affect their expansion plans in Russia.

Netflix's challenge to Moscow comes as other tech giants like YouTube, Twitter and Facebook (and parent company Meta) weigh in on what to do with their operations in Russia to mitigate disinformation and propaganda. 'Meta' has stopped making money from advertisements for the Russian state media and announced on Sunday evening that it has removed dozens of fake accounts that spread misinformation about Ukraine through its platforms. Twitter is tagging all content from Russian government-owned media sites and has previously banned ads from the state media.

"Duke pasur parasysh situatën aktuale, ne nuk kemi plane t'i shtojmë këto kanale në shërbimin tonë," tha një zëdhënës i Netflix për 'Variety'. Ligji nuk është zbatuar ende plotësisht, pavarësisht spekulimeve se do të zbatohej më 1 mars. 'Variety' ka kontaktuar me Netflix për të pyetur se cilat do të ishin veprimet e transmetuesit nëse ai do të bëhej ligj.

Ndërsa rregullorja zbatohet për të gjitha shërbimet audiovizuale mbi një madhësi të caktuar të disponueshme në Rusi, që tani, Netflix është i vetmi lojtar ndërkombëtar në regjistër. HBO Max po shfaq përmbajtjen e tij përmes luajtësit lokal Amediateka, dhe Apple TV Plus dhe të tjerë ende nuk janë shtuar. Aktualisht, Netflix vazhdon të ofrojë shërbimin e tij për anëtarët rusë duke monitoruar nga afër situatën.

Netflix was localized in Russia just over a year ago with a Russian-language user interface and local payment. The broadcaster business there is small, with no offices or Netflix employees.