RT America ceases production, lays off staff

A top official for the production company behind the Russian state-sponsored media outlet RT America told employees in a memo that it would be laying off most staff and ceasing production, CNN reported, which obtained the memo.

T&R Productions general manager Misha Solodovnikov told staff that, “as a result of unforeseen business interruption events,” all of their locations would be “ceasing production” and, given their anticipation that their layoff would be final, it “will result in the permanent separation from employment of most T&R employees at all locations,” according to the network.

Anna Belkina, deputy editor-in-chief at RT, said in a statement on Friday that the outlet was trying to find ways to retain employees who had worked at RT America.

“We are sad and disappointed that our groundbreaking channel RT America had to go off the air after more than 10 years, and that the company that supplied much of its content, T&R Productions, had to cease most of its operations, due to challenging external circumstances,” Belkina said. 

“However, we are working hard to find ways that its staff, which has for many years produced award-winning news and programming content, can remain within RT’s international family.”

It represents the latest blow to Russian state media following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began last week. DirecTV said in a statement earlier this week it would no longer be carrying RT America on its platform.

“In line with our previous agreement with RT America, we are accelerating this year’s contract expiration timeline and will no longer offer their programming effective immediately,” DirecTV said in a statement, according to Axios.

Separately, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) issued a statement earlier this week urging other broadcasters not to carry Russian-sponsored programming in light of the conflict.

“Given the unprovoked aggression exhibited by Russia against the free and sovereign people of Ukraine, NAB calls on broadcasters to cease carrying any state-sponsored programming with ties to the Russian government or its agents,” the NAB said in a statement on Tuesday. 

“While we know that airings of such programs are extremely limited, we believe that our nation must stand fully united against misinformation and for freedom and democracy across the globe.”

Updated Friday at 8:47 a.m.