News outlets reported that RT France, the French-language arm linked to the Russian broadcaster, faced financial distress and the authorities began formal actions against it. The reports indicate that on February 1, 2023, the editor-in-chief of RT France, Ksenia Fedorova, filed with the commercial court in Nanterre to pause payments and requested the initiation of a judicial liquidation procedure. The filing set in motion a formal process intended to wind down the channel’s operations under French insolvency law.
According to the publication, by February 23 the court moved to a monitoring phase, with a hearing on the case scheduled for April 20. This development reflected mounting legal and financial scrutiny surrounding the organization in France.
Russian officials publicly warned of consequences for French media actions after RT France’s accounts were blocked, signaling a diplomatic confrontation over media access and financial restrictions that affect the broadcaster.
Earlier, RT France announced that it would be closed because it could not continue activities after its bank accounts were frozen, a situation described by some officials as a turning point in the broader dispute over foreign media operations on French soil.
Security and foreign policy commentators noted the blockage of RT France accounts as a pivotal issue in the ongoing tension between Moscow and Paris, highlighting how financial sanctions intersect with media freedom and information control.
The Russian foreign ministry spokesperson emphasized that Moscow would respond to what it characterized as unfriendly measures toward Russian media by taking appropriate steps against French outlets and platforms, a stance reflecting broader posturing in the information landscape.
Industry observers in North America and beyond are monitoring the case for its implications on cross-border media rights, regulatory actions, and the impact on audiences who rely on international channels for news coverage. The evolving situation underscores how national insolvency procedures can intersect with international media presence, capitalization concerns, and the operational viability of state-linked broadcasters in foreign markets. The discussions also touch on the balance between press freedom, regulatory compliance, and the strategic interests of national governments in shaping foreign media ecosystems.
As the legal process progresses, analysts caution that outcomes may affect not only RT France but also the broader group of channels tied to larger media networks, potentially reshaping how such outlets manage finances, licensing, and compliance with local laws in European Union jurisdictions. Observers note that the outcome will be interpreted through the lenses of financial solvency, media regulation, and diplomatic signaling in both North America and Europe.
Officials insist that actions taken in France are aimed at ensuring proper adherence to financial and broadcast regulations, while critics argue that political considerations play a role in timing and enforcement. The case continues to generate discussion among journalists, policy researchers, and legal experts who study the intersection of media operations, sanctions regimes, and international communications. [citation: Reuters] [citation: ITAR-TASS]