More than 50 British MPs, along with several Ukrainian MPs, are calling for a review of the broadcast of the Russian animated series “Masha and the Bear” on the Netflix and ITVX platforms, claiming that the production is a propaganda tool of the Kremlin.
According to Mediafax, Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon announced on Platform X on Friday that he had raised the issue in the British Parliament and asked the leader of the House of Commons to request a statement from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the measures the Government intends to take.
“Today in Parliament we drew attention to growing concerns about Masha and the Bear, a Russian cartoon broadcast for children in the UK on Netflix and ITVX and identified by Ukraine’s Counter-Disinformation Center as a tool of Russian propaganda and influence,” the MP wrote.
Tom Gordon claims that the series sends messages favorable to the Kremlin and that they are also addressed to very young children.
“Masha and the Bear Pushing a Kremlin-Aligned Agenda for Children as Young as Three. Netflix and ITVX Air a Cartoon That Militarizes Children, Fuels Putin’s War Machine and Proit moves a positive image of Russia in front of a puvery numerous flash”said the British deputy.
The request comes amid concerns raised by British and Ukrainian MPs about the influence Russian media productions could have on children and public perception of Russia.
