Luke has praised the BBC World Service’s role in countering disinformation from state-controlled media in Russia.

The audience for the BBC’s Russian language news website has reached around 11 million in recent weeks, more than triple its year-to-date weekly average.

Luke said:

“The BBC World Service is a jewel in Britain’s broadcasting crown. It not only helps project our nation’s soft power and values worldwide, it is an invaluable source of independent and truthful news at a time when fake news, deliberate misinformation and hate is spreading fast.

 

I back the World Service’s mission and want to see further investment and support. The role of the BBC World Service in supporting Ukraine cannot be under-estimated and I want to thank the journalists and staff who are working so hard to ensure people in Ukraine, Russia and across the world can hear the truth about the war, not propaganda from the Kremlin.”