Russia has blocked access to Facebook after the Facebook administration cracked down on a number of pro-Moscow accounts that spread news about the invasion of Ukraine.
Russian officials have accused Facebook of “censorship and violating the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens.”
But Facebook says it has rejected a request from Russian officials to stop the pro-government media from finding out the truth about the news.
The move comes a day after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s media watchdog has demanded that Facebook lift restrictions on state-run RIA Novosti, state television and pro-Kremlin websites.
Facebook says it has ignored demands from Russian officials.
“Russian authorities have ordered us to give up the fact-finding mission, but we have refused,” said Sir Nick Glitch, deputy director of international affairs at Facebook’s Meta.”
“We urge Russian citizens to use the Meta service,” he said.”
“The Russians are using our apps to express their feelings and we do not want them to continue to use our services to make their voices heard,” he said.”
Many pro-Russian media outlets have given a positive picture of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and called the invasion a “special military operation” that Moscow was forced to carry out.
Last Thursday, Facebook said it had set up a special center to monitor content posted on the Ukraine crisis.
Yesterday (February 25), US Senator Mark Warner said that Facebook, YouTube and other social media have a clear responsibility to ensure that they are not used for human rights violations.
The Facebook administration is under pressure to address misinformation and is working with news agencies such as Reuters to address the issue.
Moscow has also stepped up pressure on the domestic media, threatening to block reports that it has “incorrect information” about the invasion of Ukraine.
