Russia’s RT is going through quite a few bans and restrictions following the nation’s invasion of Ukraine, and it is utilizing a well-known tactic to get round them: transfer to a laissez-faire service. The state-supported media firm has made its around-the-clock livestream obtainable on the “free speech” platform Rumble. This will theoretically let devotees tune in when its broadcasts and social media posts aren’t accessible elsewhere.

The transfer could also be extra of a hedge than a necessity, though that scenario may change. RT’s English livestream was nonetheless obtainable on YouTube as of Thursday. However, CNN mentioned it obtained a memo indicating that RT America’s manufacturing firm T&R Productions was shedding all employees attributable to “unforeseen business interruption events.”

Rumble, like Gab and Parler, has these days served as a haven for right-wing personalities who’ve been kicked off different platforms or really feel their content material is restricted elsewhere. Fox News host Ban Bongino, for example, moved to Rumble after YouTube banned him over COVID-19 misinformation.

As a Russian state-backed media agency, RT has been accused of serving as a propaganda mouthpiece and both closely restricted on some websites or banned outright. An EU ban on RT has led to motion at a number of websites. Facebook has demoted RT content material, Twitter has halted adverts and proposals (on high of labels warning of RT’s ties) and YouTube has denied advert income. Most lately, Reddit banned all hyperlinks to Russian state media. This is on high of bans from standard TV suppliers like DirecTV.

As with different strikes to various companies, although, the Rumble shift won’t assist RT get well its misplaced publicity. Rumble is relatively small in comparison with mainstream social media websites, streaming suppliers and traditional broadcasters. RT’s viewership is more likely to take a steep hit regardless — Rumble is extra of a comfort prize than an answer.