Anton Harber | Russia Today shutdown: Don't silence voices to counter malicious disinformation

Anton Harber writes that while Russia Today propagates lies, we need to ensure we are fully appraised of the facts, the arguments and the counter-arguments, and if we going to choose sides we can't do that when a voice is silenced.

I dislike the Russia Today (RT) television channel, as it is the propaganda tool of a dangerous and corrupt autocrat. It shows little respect for the truth, and is happy to propagate the most appalling lies. But everyone now and then, I would turn to it – briefly - to hear how the Russian government was seeing the world and get an alternative – and sometimes challenging – view.

I am disappointed that it has dropped out of the DSTV bouquet after the global distributor cut the feed, as we are left with less choice, a diminished diversity, a bouquet dominated by the mainstream Western channels, with Al Jazeera the only other voice.