Big Tech Takes a Stand: Meta Bans Russian State Media as Election Approaches
As the U.S. presidential elections loom on November 5, Meta has announced a significant step in curbing foreign interference by banning RT (formerly Russia Today) and Rossiya Segodnya, which operates Sputnik and RIA Novosti, from its platforms. This marks a firm stance against Russian efforts to influence American elections, a concern that has plagued the U.S. since the 2016 election.
The U.S. Department of State recently described RT as an entity with "cyber capabilities," rather than a typical media outlet, while the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on RT for financially supporting Right-wing outlet Tenet Media. This outlet allegedly helped conservative influencers like Benny Johnson and Dave Rubin spread Kremlin-backed content.
Meta’s decision is seen as a small yet pivotal measure toward restoring trust in the integrity of U.S. elections. Russia’s interference on behalf of Donald Trump in 2016 cast a shadow over his victory against Hillary Clinton, while Trump’s own unfounded claims of electoral fraud have raised questions about Joe Biden’s legitimacy. By limiting the spread of Russian disinformation, Meta’s move could reduce post-election divisiveness and help foster broader acceptance of the election's results, particularly if Trump wins in November.
Though Russian state media's influence has waned since the 2016 election cycle, platforms like Rumble and X still host pro-Kremlin commentators. Meta’s crackdown will mostly impact casual consumers who may unknowingly encounter Russian content. With key battleground states likely to decide the election, reducing RT’s reach could have a noticeable effect on the final vote count.
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Despite this victory, the broader battle against authoritarian influence remains. Polls show a growing divide among Americans over foreign policy, with Republicans largely opposing military aid to Ukraine. Trust in traditional media has eroded, allowing conspiracy theories and hyper-partisanship to thrive—factors that Russia can exploit to undermine liberal democracy without direct intervention.
While the U.S. has taken steps against Russian interference, it has been slower to act on election meddling from other actors like Iran, whose disinformation campaigns are also targeting the 2024 race. Though investigations are underway, concrete actions remain limited.
Meta's ban on RT is a critical win for election integrity, but much work remains to protect democratic processes from both foreign and domestic threats.