Canada slaps new sanctions on Russian media

TRENTON, Canada

Canada imposed sanctions Friday on Russian media and launched a new webpage to counter misinformation.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly made the announcement in Bali, Indonesia, where she is attending the G20 foreign affairs summit.

“The Russian propaganda machine must answer for its lies," Joly said in a statement. "Canada is committed to fighting disinformation wherever and whenever it is found.

"Today, we make it clear to those who peddle deception: you will be held accountable. Canada stands with Ukraine.”

The sanctions are aimed at various Russian news outlets, including television stations, news agencies and journalists.

Singled out are two individuals – Petr Akopov and Tigran Keosayan – who have praised Russian President Vladimir Putin's "special military operation" in Ukraine, as well as Vladimir Sungorkin, editor-in-chief of Komsomolskaya Pravda, a Russian tabloid, and others.

"On July 7, 2022, Canada further amended the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations to list an additional 29 individuals who are Russian disinformation and propaganda figures and 15 entities involved in disinformation activities," a statement on the government website read.

Also included in the sanctions is Sumbatovich Gasparyan, the head of the International Department at RT, Joly said. The Russian public broadcaster was banned in the country in March.

The new webpage "is dedicated to countering disinformation with facts," the statement said. "Canada will continue to use this platform to shed light on how the Russian regime is using lies to justify its illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine."