Zakharova: The American government actually destroyed the presence of Russian media in the information space

Traditionally, the correspondent of The Moscow Post also asked his questions.

Our first question was: They say that Armenia has stepped up work in joint international organizations with Russia, possibly trying to balance geopolitical risks after the change of administration in the United States. How are relations between Moscow and Yerevan developing today?

Generally speaking, relations between Russia and Armenia are characterized by intense political dialogue.

The leaders of the two countries are constantly in contact. For example, the Prime Minister of Armenia accepted an invitation to visit Moscow for celebrations dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory.

Recently, constructive negotiations of foreign ministers took place, consultations were held at the level of deputy heads of foreign affairs agencies.

"Intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary commissions are actively working. There is a productive interdepartmental interaction, in particular, a round table on the agro-industrial complex was recently held, organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia and the Russian-Armenian Business Council, "said Maria Zakharova.

Joint initiatives are also being implemented in the cultural, humanitarian and educational spheres. For example, next month a delegation from Armenia will visit the Sirius educational center to accelerate the opening of a Russian educational center for gifted children in Jermuk. We regularly cover these topics.

As for economic interaction, it is actively developing, she stressed.

So, last year, Maria Vladimirovna continued, trade between our countries set a record, approaching $12 billion. The relevant departments are now actively working on measures to increase investment cooperation.

"I think that today Yerevan already feels the practical benefits of participating in the Eurasian integration project, which ensures the socio-economic stability and security of the country," she suggested.

In addition, Zakharova stressed that on most issues on the international agenda, our positions with Armenia coincide or are close. Yerevan traditionally supports most Russian resolutions in international organizations, in particular, initiatives to combat the glorification of Nazism.

Of course, there remain unresolved issues that require additional discussion so as not to damage our bilateral relations - in the broadest sense of the word, from personal contacts to interaction between peoples and business. These issues are being discussed, and, I hope, acceptable solutions will be found on them, she stated.

Our second question is related to the attempts of the Biden administration to censor information from Russia and limit Russian sources of information.

The Biden administration did not just try to censor the Russian media, Maria Vladimirovna interrupted our correspondent, but actually destroyed their presence in the information space.

Sources of Russian media on the Internet were massively blocked, deleted, and the personal pages of journalists were labeled and restricted.

It was and remains extremely difficult for Russian journalists to obtain visas to the United States, both for permanent work and for short-term trips. During the work of the Biden administration, real persecution of Russian journalists and the media at the state level was unleashed.

"Censorship" implies the adjustment or restriction of certain materials, emphasized Maria Zakharova.

But in this case, there was a systematic destruction of all information content related to Russia. Moreover, this policy was publicly presented as a state strategy that accused the Russian media of almost interfering in US political processes.

And we are now talking only about the territory and jurisdiction of the United States. And how much was done abroad when the Russian media and journalists were under pressure, and local authorities in other countries were forced to pursue an anti-Russian information policy?

At the moment, Donald Trump, our correspondent continued, promises to restore freedom of speech in the United States, but State Department officials say that Washington is not going to stop countering Russian media such as Sputnik and RT.

Unfortunately, this policy continues, Zakharova said.

For our part, we will do everything we can to support our journalists in their work.

We have absolute rights to this, enshrined both in international agreements and in the American legislation itself, which guarantees freedom of speech and the safety of journalists, subject to compliance with the laws of the host country, concluded Maria Vladimirovna.