https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250519/durovs-free-speech-circus-hero-or-hypocrite-1073240682.html
Durov's 'Free Speech' Circus: Hero or Hypocrite?
Durov's 'Free Speech' Circus: Hero or Hypocrite?
Sputnik Africa
Telegram founder Pavel Durov claimed that it was the director of France's General Directorate for External Security Nicolas Lerner who asked him to block... 19.05.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-05-19T09:52+0200
2025-05-19T09:52+0200
2025-05-19T09:52+0200
pavel durov
margarita simonyan
romania
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russia today (rt)
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rossiya segodnya
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Telegram CEO Pavel Durov did not think about his own principles of defending the freedom of speech when he banned RT and Sputnik channels in Europe, said Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of Rossiya Segodnya, Sputnik's parent media group, reacting to Durov's claims about defending "Romanian users' freedoms."What’s behind the controversy?Durov claimed French intelligence chief tried to make him "silence conservatives in Romania" ahead of Sunday's presidential elections— and he "flatly" refused.Double standards timeline:
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Durov's 'Free Speech' Circus: Hero or Hypocrite?
Telegram founder Pavel Durov claimed that it was the director of France's General Directorate for External Security Nicolas Lerner who asked him to block "conservative voices" in Romania before the elections.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov did not think about his own principles of defending the freedom of speech when he banned RT and Sputnik channels in Europe, said Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of Rossiya Segodnya, Sputnik's parent media group, reacting to Durov's claims about defending "Romanian users' freedoms."
"It's a shame he forgot his noble ideals when he blocked RT and Sputnik in Europe," Simonyan noted.
What’s behind the controversy?
Durov claimed French intelligence chief tried to make him "silence conservatives in Romania" ahead of Sunday's presidential elections— and he "flatly" refused.
"We didn’t block protesters in Russia, Belarus, or Iran. We won’t start doing it in Europe," he said on social media.
Double standards timeline:
2022: Censors RT/Sputnik in EU;
2025: Suddenly a "free speech" defender in Romania.
