Just for the context GUR is Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Agency. Practically like the CIA is in the US.
The relevant part, translated:
BBC: You recently spoke about Telegram being a problem for Ukraine.
Kyrylo Budanov: I can repeat that again for you. It is a huge problem.
BBC: And what can be done about it?
Kyrylo Budanov: Or, as they say, to put it in order - at least legally force everyone to register, so it is clear who is behind which media resource, and Telegram has already definitely acquired the status of media. There is no question of influence or pressure - the issue is not about that. If you want to promote your position - and it may not please someone and that is normal in a democratic society - take responsibility. What are you afraid to say who you are?
BBC: So you’re talking about anonymous Telegram channels?
Kyrylo Budanov: They are all anonymous. Do you know a single Telegram channel that openly said I am this person? That’s the answer.
BBC: Could their closure become a solution to this problem? Blocking?
Kyrylo Budanov: Temporarily yes, but I still believe they need to be forced to register. This will not be pressure on the press. In a democratic society, I say again, you cannot simply exert pressure…
Why am I even telling you this? You are a media representative. Would you be very happy if someone came to you and said: that’s it, from now on you write like this? Of course, that would be abnormal. But being afraid to say who you are is also wrong. And throwing anything into the ether on behalf of an anonymous person, excuse me, paid from completely different parts of the world is also abnormal.
“We’re not pressuring them, we are merely holding them accountable”
If you want to promote your position - and it may not please someone and that is normal in a democratic society - take responsibility. What are you afraid to say who you are?
While I understand the problems the propaganda machines of Russia and China (among other) causes, this here is some stupid shit
Try to criticize Putin openly while living in Russia, speak up for the freedom to love and have sex with whoever you want in Uganda or publish pictures of Muhammad as a dog and sign all of it with your name and see what will happen.
Anonymity is a double edged sword. While being “nice to have” in a democracy it’s a “must have” in a dictatorship.
I think a lot of people might be sympathetic to the idea that in wartime, you need to be stricter because of the incredibly high stakes. That Ukraine is at war, so they need to find and deal with these sources of disinformation.
I think those same people need to realize that the policies never get rolled back to a more liberal state when the war is over.
It sucks that this is a systemic advantage for authoritarians. It really sucks. It feels bad. But it’s the handicap you have to accept to resist authoritarianism.