Russia Wants to Replace YouTube and Proposes a National Video Platform

The Russian communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, proposed the creation of a national video platform to replace YouTube. This is due to the alleged “censorship” of this service to Russian media. The Russian supervisor said in a statement that they drew attention to the Russian media about the need to maintain information channels on national video platforms. They asked leading technology companies to help Russian media create and popularize them.

Roskomnadzor made this proposal after accusing Google of imposing a “complete veto” on YouTube. Particularly, on the creation of channels by ANNA News, an Abkhazian Network News Agency.

A specific policy of censorship concerning the Russian media is unacceptable and violates the fundamental principles of free dissemination of information and unimpeded access to it, the Russian regulator said in its statement.

It is not the first time that Russia’s communications supervisory agency has accused the large US internet multinationals of making it difficult for Russian media to access their platforms.

Last October it argued that Google, Facebook, and Twitter restricted access to materials from some 20 Russian media sources. They included the state agency RIA Novosti, the Kremlin Russia Today, and Sputnik state media abroad, as well as Russia 1.

This month a group of deputies from the Duma (Lower House) proposed amendments to the law. The proposal included the introduction of sanctions against Internet platforms that “discriminate” against Russian media.

The Attorney General’s Office, together with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, would decide in advance which Russian media suffers “discrimination” from US giants.

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Why do Abkhaz Journalists cover the Syrian frontline?

ANNA-News or ANNA is a network analytical news agency. First accredited on July 18, 2011, in Abkhazia, its name ANNA stands for Abkhazian Network News Agency. However, after its head office moved to Moscow and registered with Roskomnadzor on September 22, 2017, the word “Abkhazian” was changed to “Analytical.”

The agency publishes news in Russian. Thus, specializing in operational news and reporting from hot spots where the geopolitical interests of Russia and the West clash. 

The online agency publishes daily reports on the conflict in Syria, including graphic videos of violence. According to Ivan Nechepurenko, a Belarusian investigator, few people have heard of it or know its mission. 

Why would an organization in Christian-dominated Abkhazia, a small breakaway region of Georgia, send reporters to cover the brutal fight between a rebel army and Syrian government forces?

Marat Musin established the agency which has a pro-Assad bias. He teaches trade and economics at the Moscow State University and the Russian State University.

Once they take on Syria, this will spread further to the Caucasus, Nechepurenko stated.

Russia acted as a critical player in international efforts in putting a stop to the violence in Syria. Therefore, delivering arms to Assad’s regime, and blocking UN resolutions.