European Union Foreign Affairs and Security Policy High Representative Josep Borrell on Wednesday criticized the Russian administration's recent retaliatory response to ban 81 media outlets from 25 EU member states, saying that the decision "expands the already severe media censorship" in the country, Ednews reports.
Borrell condemned the move and labeled it a "totally unfounded decision" as the 81 news agencies "work according to journalistic principles and standards" and "give factual information" in contrast to the Russian media blocked in Europe in May.
"Respect for the freedom of expression and media is a core value for the EU. It will continue supporting availability of factual information also to audiences in Russia," he noted in a statement.
