The resolution is aimed at countering anti-EU media campaigns and misinformation ostensibly spread by both nations and non-state entities, including Russia and Daesh. The document says that the Russian government is allegedly "aggressively employing a wide range of tools and instruments" to weaken the European Union.
Speaking to Sputnik, Imad Sara, head of Syria's TV and Radio Broadcasting Central Committee, said that the resolution "indicates the degree that Russian media influence's the world" and the West's double standards on freedom of speech.
"I think that such statements are part of the war being waged against Syria and Russia. On one front we see grenades and bombs, while on another one — laws and sanctions," Sara said.
"In Russia, we can really see freedom of speech and human rights for everyone, with the opposition freely expressing their position. The EU's decision is a blow to not only Russian media, but Russia's policy as well," Shahata pointed out.
In an interview with Sputnik, Naser Kindil, chief editor of the Lebanese newspaper Al-Binaa, congratulated "the Russian media with this decision by the European Union which may be called a recognition of its good quality work."
"European and US media outlets have long painted the Russian media as biased and unprofessional. Now the Russian media have showed themselves as a reliable source of information. Their stance is to be reckoned with and their assessment of events contradicts that of the West. The Russian media call a spade a spade, which is why people believe them. Congratulations again," Kindil said.
Imad El Khazen, Director General of the Voice of Lebanon radio station, in turn, expressed support for Sputnik, lambasting the EU Parliament resolution.
"We condemn this resolution and call on the European Union to return to its basic principles it is talking about. We declare that we are on the side of responsible free media, and together with you emphasize the importance of media freedom in the world which is in the interest of the media and all the people," El Khazen said in a telegram.
Meanwhile, the Arab movement Journalists of the Revolution issued a statement about their solidarity with the Sputnik News Agency. With its headquarters in Cairo, the Journalists of the Revolution organization includes more than 500 Arab journalists.
"The decision to adopt the resolution was made by the colonial powers which do not like to see a different stance on world events," the resolution said, urging all the rights organizations to express their solidarity with Sputnik.
According to the statement, such decisions by the EU run counter to the principles of human rights that Europe is so proud of.
A total of 691 lawmakers participated in the vote: 304 voted in favor of the resolution, 179 against it and 208 abstained from voting. The authors of the document equate counteracting Russia with the resistance to Daesh terrorist group and call on EU member states to boost financing counter-propaganda projects.
