Spacex CEO Elon Musk says that Starlink has been told by some governments to block Russian news sources. However, he affirmed, “We will not do so unless at gunpoint.”
Elon Musk refuses to censor Russian news sources
Spacex and Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted early Saturday morning that Starlink had been asked by some governments to block Russian news sources. However, Musk said, “We will only do this at gunpoint. Sorry to be a free speech absolutist.
Starlink is operated by Spacex. The service “provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across the globe,” its website describes.
Many people on Twitter praised Musk for not giving in to government demands.
Replying to this tweet, a Twitter user told Musk, “Russian ‘news’ resources are propaganda resources.” The Spacex boss replied, “All new sources are partially propaganda, some more than others.”
Russia’s parliament passed a draconian censorship bill this week to prosecute anyone who spreads “fake news” about the Russian military. Penalties include fines and up to 15 years in prison. Anti-war protesters and those calling for foreign sanctions against Russia can also be prosecuted. Fake news is described as anything not officially approved by the Kremlin.
In addition, Russia’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor, has issued strict guidelines for coverage of Ukraine and the Russian military. The media across the country can only publish information provided by official sources. It is forbidden, for example, to describe the attacks on Ukraine as an “invasion” or a “war.” Instead, they must be called a “special military operation.”
Starlink helps Ukraine stay connected
Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukrainian deputy prime minister and the country’s digital transformation minister, asked Musk for help on February 26.
“While you try to colonize Mars — Russia tries to occupy Ukraine. While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people,” he wrote. “We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand.”
About 10 hours later, Musk replied, “Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals along the way. The Deputy Prime Minister announced on Twitter on Monday that the Starlink equipment had arrived. He tweeted thanking Musk on Wednesday, saying:
Starlink keeps our cities connected and emergency services saving lives.
Musk tweeted a warning on Thursday that Starlink is the only non-Russian communications system still operating in parts of Ukraine. The “likelihood of being targeted is high,” he said.
He further revealed: “Some Starlink terminals near conflict areas were being jammed for several hours at a time. Our latest software update bypasses the jamming … Spacex reprioritized to cyber defense & overcoming signal jamming.”
“Hold on for Ukraine,” the Tesla CEO wrote on Friday. He added: “Also my sympathies to the great people of Russia who do not want this.”
