BBC Revives Shortwave Broadcast After Being Blocked In Russia, Facebook, Google Play Also Restricted

Amid the ongoing conflict, Russia has cut access to the BBC website and Facebook as President Vladimir Putin presses media crackdown and prevents the public from viewing Western media.

Representative image/Getty

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing conflict, Russia has cut access to the BBC website and Facebook as President Vladimir Putin presses media crackdown and prevents the public from viewing Western media. According to Russia's communications watchdog, it has restricted the websites of the BBC, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Deutsche Welle and other media outlets, says a report published by news agency Reuters on Friday.

This development comes hours after the BBC Corporation brought back its shortwave radio service in Ukraine and Russia amid the ongoing conflict to ensure civilians in both nations can access news during the invasion. According to a service that tracks internet censorship in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) named Globalcheck, the availability of the entire BBC website was at 17 per cent of normal levels in Russia, indicating that some of its services have been blocked.

According to BBC Russia, Meta, formerly Facebook and Google Play also appeared to be blocked in Russia.

“It’s often said truth is the first casualty of war. In a conflict where disinformation and propaganda is rife, there is a clear need for factual and independent news people can trust … millions more Russians are turning to the BBC," BBC Director General Tim Davie was quoted as saying.

"We will continue giving the Russian people access to the truth, however we can."

As part of its resilience operation to ensure news is available in Ukraine and Russia, the BBC has also stepped up services on other platforms. BBC Corporation launched two new shortwave frequencies in the region for four hours of World Service English news a day. These frequencies can be received clearly in Kyiv and parts of Russia. Shortwave radio uses frequencies that carry over long distances and are accessible on portable sets.

The BBC said its shortwave broadcasts will be available on frequencies of 15735 kHz from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 5875 kHz from midnight to 2 a.m., Ukraine time. News will be read in English, which the BBC says will be available in Kyiv as well as "parts of Russia".

Meanwhile, the EU has already banned Russian state-controlled media outlets such as RT and Russian news agency Sputnik. Tech giants such as Facebook parent Meta, Google, YouTube, TikTok and Tripadvisor are also blocking access to RT and Sputnik in the EU.