Beirut: On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Russian Ambassador to Lebanon, H.E. Mr. Alexander Rudakov, issued a statement reaffirming Russia’s commitment to press freedom while voicing concern over what he described as the politicization of media in Western societies.

According to National News Agency – Lebanon, Ambassador Rudakov underscored the importance of free and responsible journalism as a cornerstone of informed societies, emphasizing that the right to seek and share information is a fundamental principle of international law.

He criticized what he called the selective interpretation of press freedom by Western powers, particularly in the context of the Ukraine crisis. ‘Platforms once devoted to pluralism now echo a single narrative,’ he said, accusing Western nations of marginalizing Russian media under the pretext of combating disinformation.

The Ambassador drew a sharp contrast between this trend and Lebanon’s enduring journalistic resilience. ‘Lebanon, a nation that has weathered political storms and preserved its voice through robust journalism, understands the might and power of the press,’ he stated, praising Lebanese journalists for their courage and dedication.

Ambassador Rudakov called for a ‘truly multipolar information world’ that upholds sovereignty, cultural diversity, and the right to pluralism in media narratives. ‘True freedom of the press is not the dominance of one voice, but the harmony of many,’ he said.

Quoting Russian Nobel laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Rudakov concluded with a tribute to journalists who refuse to partake in falsehoods, saluting their role in Russia, Lebanon, and around the world.