Last night the MultiChoice Group announced that it would be removing Russia Today from its DStv platform, channel 407.

The decision is in keeping with what we have seen from big tech firms this week regarding the ongoing conflict between Russia and the Ukraine, with news channels like Russia Today being used to spread misinformation.

“MultiChoice confirms that as of today, 2 March 2021, Russia Today (Channel 407) shall not be carried on the DStv platform until further notice. Sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union have led to the global distributor of the channel ceasing to provide the broadcast feed to all suppliers, including MultiChoice,” the company explained in a press release sent to Hypertext.

While we normally have our grievances with MultiChoice over what it does with DStv, this time around we have to commend them.

The sentiment is not shared by all, however, with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), releasing a statement on the matter. The Authority says it will be monitoring the situation, namely as it was not consulted on the removal and wishes to know the precise reasons as to why it is happening.

“Our Licensing and Compliance Division has not received any notification by Multichoice confirming the discontinuation of the channel on its DSTV platform,” noted ICASA chairperson, Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng, in the press statement.

“Given the underlying principle of the South African broadcasting system for promoting plurality of views, it is only prudent for ICASA to enquire with DSTV on the rationale for the discontinuation of the RT channel,” the chairperson.

It remains to be seen if ICASA has the authority to overrule MultiChoice’s decision, but given the desire to limit the spread of misinformation on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, we hope it does not intervene.