Paris, Feb 4 (AP) France's broadcast watchdog has opened an inquiry into news coverage by Russian state TV channel RT France, after the regulator was alerted to concerns about some of its programmes.

The regulator, called Arcom, confirmed the inquiry Friday.

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It did not elaborate on reasons for the move, but noted that it regularly investigates concerns about channels that broadcast in France. RT France, which launched in 2017, is part of the global RT TV network.

Many in France see RT as a Russian government propaganda tool that amplifies far-right or populist politics.

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It has repeatedly come under criticism from centrist President Emmanuel Macron.

While the inquiry is just an inquiry at this stage and doesn't involve any restrictions on the channel's programming, RT France director Xenia Fedorova tweeted: “Welcome to the new world of censorship” and sarcastically called it “perfect timing” after RT's recent difficulties in Germany.

A German media regulator ruled Tuesday that RT lacks the necessary permission to broadcast its German-language programs in the country.

RT DE started broadcasting in mid-December using a Serbian license.

In retaliation, Russia on Thursday announced that it is shutting down the Moscow office of German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle and withdrawing its staff's accreditations.

It was the latest move by Russia's government against foreign or independent journalists.

The French Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday that it “deplores” Moscow's decision to shut down Deutsche Welle's activities.

“The freedom to inform is a fundamental right that should be protected everywhere,” it said. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)