On March 1, 2022, Netflix will be forced to broadcast Kremlin propaganda on their streaming service as part of new obligations in Russia. As Russia continues with their illegal invasion of and war upon the sovereign nation of Ukraine, they continue to use the media to spread disinformation and sow confusion. 

The new obligations come after Netflix was added to the register of “audiovisual services” that are overseen by the country’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor. The requirement states that services with more than 100,000 daily users must broadcast streams of 20 Russian federal television stations. Netflix has a subscriber base of close to 1 million in Russia. 

Netflix was asked by POLITICO if they would comply with Russia’s new rules, but they did not comment. This leads us to believe they will listen to their own commercial interests, rather than the ethical concerns of millions across the globe. 

Closing off streaming services would not be unique to Russia. Netflix already publicly discloses that its services are unavailable in China, Crimea, North Korea, and Syria. 

We must stand up to Netflix and tell them that if they do not cancel their service in Russia, we will boycott them. Netflix must put the interest of the people over the interest of profit. 

Slava Ukraini!!