• Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi proposes “defense censorship” to protect sensitive military information.
• He argues that modern technology, like smartphones and social media, makes it easier for adversaries to access critical military details, necessitating wartime censorship.
• Syrskyi claims his proposal will balance press freedom with the need to censor critical information for national security purposes for the duration of the conflict with Russia.
• Critics warn that such measures could lead to government overreach and suppress dissenting voices, despite Syrskyi’s insistence that it is a pragmatic, not dictatorial, measure.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi has called for the introduction of “defense censorship” to protect sensitive military information from falling into enemy hands.

The proposal, made during a recent interview with Ukrainian radio station Radio Bayraktar, argued that such wartime censorship is necessary as a means of balancing press freedom with national security concerns during the brutal conflict the nation is embroiled in.

Syrskyi claimed his argument is a recognition of the fact that, in the age of smartphones and social media, even the most sensitive military information like troop movements and strategic plans, can be accessed by a lot more people, including Ukraine’s adversaries.

He insisted that such censorship is not an overreach but a wartime necessity, citing established practices used by other nations during conflicts. The general was quick to clarify that his proposal is not an attempt to create a dictatorship akin to North Korea but rather a pragmatic measure to safeguard Ukraine’s defense efforts. (Related: Ukraine’s Zelensky demands U.S. isolate from Russia, cut off communications.)

Syrskyi also claimed that his proposal would keep citizens informed about the broader realities of the conflict while seeking to shield critical information from the public. Syrskyi emphasized the importance of ensuring that Ukrainians understand the gravity of the conflict and the proximity of the frontlines to their daily lives.

Critics concerned over general’s calls for censorship

However, the call for censorship raises red flags for those who value press freedom and open discourse. Critics argue that such measures, even if well-intentioned, could pave the way for government overreach and the suppression of dissenting voices. Ukraine’s existing media landscape already reflects some of these concerns.

Since the start of the war in February 2022, the government has implemented a 24/7 joint news program called the “United News” telethon, which consolidates coverage from four major Ukrainian media groups. While the program aims to provide consistent and reliable information during the conflict, it has been accused of monopolizing the airwaves and sidelining opposition channels.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has openly described the telethon as a “weapon” in Ukraine’s fight against Russia, but its critics see it as a tool for controlling the narrative. The European Commission has also raised questions about the program’s operation and its reliance on public funding, particularly as Ukraine seeks closer ties with the European Union. Despite these concerns, Kyiv has doubled down on its commitment to the telethon, spending millions of dollars annually to keep it running.

Adding to the controversy, Ukrainian officials have repeatedly floated the idea of restricting or even banning the messaging app Telegram, citing national security risks. In March 2024, Kirill Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, labeled Telegram a potential threat, highlighting the platform’s role in spreading misinformation and exposing sensitive military data.

Watch this clip from Russia Today discussing YouTube’s leaked rules regarding how to censor certain content discussing the Ukraine conflict.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

RT.com

BigNewsNetwork.com

EU.News-Pravda.com

Brighteon.com