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White House mum on new possible restrictions regarding RT

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that she did not speak with the President about RT or Sputnik

WASHINGTON, February 4. /TASS/. The White House did not specify whether it was ready to introduce possible new restrictions against the RT TV channel and the Sputnik international agency. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki did not answer directly a question about possible restrictions against these media outlets and US President Joe Biden’s position regarding them during a briefing on Wednesday.

"I have not spoken with the President about RT or Sputnik. I think it’s pretty factual to say they are tools of propaganda who work on behalf of the Russian government," she asserted.

"It’s important for the American people to know that there are outlets working on behalf of foreign governments who have an agenda, and they’re not playing the role of free press and free media as you all are," the White House representative stated.

She reiterated that during her time at the Department of State, RT and Sputnik journalists attended briefings there and asked questions. She added that she hasn’t seen their reporters at the White House briefings. According to her, Americans should realize that both RT and Sputnik "are not the same as AP, ABC — other outlets — BBC — around the world."

In autumn 2017, the US Department of Justice required the Russian RT TV channel to register as a foreign agent in accordance with the US legislation. This happened against the background of a scandal alleging Russian meddling in the US Presidential election in 2016. American intelligence thought that Russian authorities used RT to interfere in the presidential campaign. As a reciprocal action, Russia approved a law on foreign media outlets in November 2017.

Additionally, in early 2018, American RIA Global which produces content for the Sputnik international agency was registered as a foreign agent as demanded by the Department of Justice, although no such demands were made on other foreign media outlets, including BBC and France 24.

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