Blocking of RT Accounts in UK is 'Censorship and Example of Double Standards'

A decision by a UK bank to block the RT broadcaster's accounts in the United Kingdom is politically motivated and is a violation of UK citizens’ right to free media access, Russian Foreign Ministry Human Rights Ombudsman Konstantin Dolgov told Sputnik.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — RT's Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan said Monday that the international broadcaster's accounts had been blocked in the United Kingdom. RT UK said it had been informed by NatWest that its banking arrangements with RT were null and void.

"What is happening now can be described by one word — that is, censorship. It is an example of double standards, although it has been officially denied. By complicating access to different media outlets, they violate citizens’ rights. American or UK citizens have the right of access to various legal information sources," Konstantin Dolgov said.

RT operates a number of cable and satellite television channels in a number of languages and is directed at a foreign audience. The channels provide 24-hour news coverage, as well as airing documentaries, talk shows and debates.