(1)

On 31 July 2014, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 (2).

(2)

Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 gives effect to certain measures provided for in Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP (3).

(3)

On 17 May 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/1429, amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP.

(4)

In its conclusions of 24 February 2022, the European Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the Russian Federation’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine and stated that by its illegal military actions, Russia was grossly violating international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, and undermining European and global security and stability. The European Council called for the urgent preparation and adoption of a further individual and economic sanctions package. The European Council called on Russia and Russia-backed armed formations to stop their disinformation campaign.

(5)

In its conclusions of 10 May 2021, the Council underlined the need to further strengthen the Union’s and Member States’ resilience as well as their ability to counter hybrid threats, including disinformation, ensuring the coordinated and integrated use of existing and possible new tools for countering hybrid threats at Union and Member States’ level, and possible responses in the field of hybrid threats including, inter alia, to foreign interference and influence operations, which may cover preventive measures as well as the imposition of costs on hostile state and non-state actors.

(6)

In its conclusions of 21 and 22 March 2024, the European Council reaffirmed the Union’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression. It also called for further steps to weaken Russia’s ability to continue waging its war of aggression, including by strengthening sanctions.

(7)

The Russian Federation has engaged in a systematic, international campaign of media manipulation and distortion of facts in order to enhance its strategy of destabilisation of its neighbouring countries and of the Union and its Member States. In particular, the propaganda has repeatedly and consistently targeted European political parties, especially during election periods, as well as targeting civil society, asylum seekers, Russian ethnic minorities, gender minorities, and the functioning of democratic institutions in the Union and its Member States.

(8)

In order to justify and support its aggression against Ukraine, the Russian Federation has engaged in continuous and concerted propaganda actions targeted at civil society in the Union and neighbouring countries, gravely distorting and manipulating facts.

(9)

Those propaganda actions have been channelled through a number of media outlets under the permanent direct or indirect control of the leadership of the Russian Federation. Such actions constitute a significant and direct threat to the Union’s public order and security. Those media outlets are essential and instrumental in bringing forward and supporting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and for the destabilisation of its neighbouring countries.

(10)

In view of the gravity of the situation, and in response to Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, it is necessary, consistent with the fundamental rights and freedoms recognised in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, in particular freedom of expression and of information as recognised in Article 11 thereof, to urgently suspend the broadcasting activities of additional media outlets in the Union, or directed at the Union. Those measures should be maintained until the Russian aggression against Ukraine is brought to an end, and until the Russian Federation, and its associated media outlets, cease to conduct propaganda actions against the Union and its Member States.

(11)

Consistent with the fundamental rights and freedoms recognised in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, in particular freedom of expression and of information, the freedom to conduct a business and the right to property as recognised in Articles 11, 16 and 17, respectively, thereof, the measures provided for in this Regulation do not prevent those media outlets concerned and their staff from carrying out other activities in the Union than broadcasting, such as research and interviews. In particular, these measures do not modify the obligation to respect the rights, freedoms and principles referred to in Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union, set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and in Member States' constitutions, within their respective fields of application.

(12)

In order to ensure consistency with the process provided for in Decision 2014/512/CFSP for suspending broadcasting licences, the Council should exercise implementing powers to decide whether, following an examination of the respective cases, restrictive measures are to become applicable on the date specified in Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 in respect of several entities listed in Annex XV to Regulation (EU) No 833/2014.

(13)

The measures set out in this Regulation fall within the scope of the Treaty and, therefore, in particular with a view to ensuring their uniform application in all Member States, regulatory action at the level of the Union is necessary.

(14)

Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 should therefore be amended accordingly,