The Lithuanian regulator LRTK has blocked 53 IP addresses that give access to Russian TV channels prohibited from broadcasting in the country.

In a statement it says: “This decision was taken in consideration of and in accordance with the regulations of the Council of the European Union, which apply restrictive measures regarding the dissemination of disinformation and propaganda against the European Union and its member states. Pursuant to them, economic entities are prohibited from broadcasting or facilitating the broadcasting of content provided by legal persons, entities and organisations included in the list set out in the annexes of the regulations, or otherwise contributing to such broadcasting by transmitting or distributing it by any means, for example, cable, satellite connection, IPTV, ISPs, video sharing platforms or applications”.

LRTK adds: “According to the Law on International Sanctions of the Republic of Lithuania, the LRTK ensures the implementation of international sanctions when they are related to the broadcasting, rebroadcasting or distribution of radio and television programs on the internet, the activities of audiovisual media service providers, video sharing platform service providers”.

The regulator says it adopted analogous decisions on March 8, May 10 and June 21.

The Council of the European Union has adopted restrictive measures against the English, UK, German, French and Spanish versions of RT – Russia Today; Sputnik; Rossiya RTR/RTR Planeta; Rossiya 24/Russia 24; TV Centre International; NTV/NTV Mir; Rossiya 1; Ren TV; and Pervyi Kanal.