The second law sounds worse as there’s no judicial review. I’d been thinking for a long time that I’d want to live in Russia for a period of time, maybe 6 months or a year to get a better feel for the country and culture, but now I don’t think I would risk it. As a writer, these newer laws are way too easy to run afoul of. Whether you think these laws are somehow justified under the circumstances or not, it’s really sad that it’s come to this. – Natylie
OSCE, 7/15/22
VIENNA, 15 July 2022 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, today denounced the continued shrinking space for freedom of expression and media freedom in Russia as the authorities enact more restrictive laws.
Ribeiro’s comments follow President Vladimir Putin’s signing on 14 July of the law “On amendments to certain legal acts of the Russian Federation” that provides important changes in the media law, in particular, in relation to foreign media in Russia as well as the enactment of the law “On control over the activities of persons under foreign influence.”
“It is deeply troubling that Russia continues to impose such severe restrictions that are completely incompatible with the right to freedom of expression and media freedom,” Ribeiro said. “I call on the authorities to repeal these highly restrictive and disproportionate laws, and stop other initiatives that curtail public discussions and free flow of information, and exert a dangerous chilling effect on the work of media workers.”
The law “On amendments to certain legal acts of the Russian Federation” broadly empowers the Prosecutor-General or her/his deputies – upon consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – to ban the activity of foreign media that disseminates its products in Russia, including online, whenever the activity of a Russian media outlet in another country was banned or restricted. Such a ban can also involve withdrawal of accreditation of foreign correspondents in Russia, registrations and broadcast licenses, freezing of bank accounts and bank operations, and closure of bureaus of affected foreign media.
The same statute also introduces amendments to the law “On the Mass Media” allowing, for the first time since the law was adopted in 1991, the Prosecutor-General or her/his deputies to suspend the activities and ultimately close down media outlets without a court decision. The statute can be enacted if the prosecution considers actions to be in violation of a broad spectrum of bans, including dissemination of information “directed to discredit the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the aims of protection of the interests of the Russian Federation” or simply “untruthful information” on such a use (even unintentionally), as well as calls to introduce sanctions against the Russian Federation and expressions of disrespect towards Russian public bodies. During the suspension period, the publishers, editors and journalists of the affected media outlet(s) are not allowed to conduct any activity regulated by law “On the Mass Media”.
The new law “On control over the activities of persons under foreign influence” brings together and expands the existing ‘foreign agent’ regulations (which OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ribeiro addressed on many occasions previously) by introducing more overly vague and broad terms. It allows an entity to be labeled a ‘foreign agent’ if it “has received support and/or is otherwise under foreign influence” and engages in a broad range of activities, including raising issues of public interest and other standard journalistic practices. Among other things, the law also establishes a separate register of persons affiliated with a so-called ‘foreign agent’ by including anyone who is in any way connected (or was connected) with organizations and/or individuals carrying such a status.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.
We can hope that these laws are introduced only under conditions of war and maximum danger to the regime. Is there anything that might suggest they are intended as “emergency” laws – not, of course, that that would be reassuring of itself?
I can’t say for sure. I hope they are temporary and only emergency, but once a government gets this kind of control it often doesn’t want to give it up.
Unfortunate.
Russia is on a War footing & has been under western attacks for many years. There are many traitors in Russia who want a Western way of life — and who would willingly act against Russian intersts. They must be stopped & Russia is correct in limiting News access.
I’m Australian & it’s digusting what lies & misinformation we get here about Ukarian good & Bad Russians. ALL slanted & one sided. The Russian position is nevre spoken. Go Russia !
Always learn something new reading you, and others like you who you link to and so. Courage and bravery esp these days. Has anyone else taken note that you can no longer use twitter unless you are signed in —-. One can scroll for about 3 to 4 maybe 5 minutes then a wee pop up says, sign in to read more etc. Seems harmless enough but in fact, it’s yet another way to keep track of who is reading what and what they might tweet or like etc. What a pity!eh, it’s been awhile since twitter was yet another control post on the relay system of controls on the web. Well, we all know those nutty crazy right wing alternative ‘social media-‘options are BS. So where do honest open minded people go to read something without having someone reading (ie surveillance of one sort and another) over their proverbial shoulder? I gather some are fans of telegram, but who really is behind that? who do they work for and what assurances are there they are not eavesdropping.
I’m glad you are finding the posts here to be useful. Thank you.
Your moderation seems to take forever ?
“Expressions of disrespect towards Russian public bodies” and how that is clarified will be useful to know at some point. I don’t really know pre-24 Feb what is deemed as valid without being disrespectful. I live in UK and laws are also being passed to try and manipulate this too which is strange after growing up with a higher level of freedom of expression. I co-edit a climate blog that profiles Russian scientists and have occasional interviews. It’s a voluntary project. I don’t have a problem with e.g. a disclaimer on a blog or paper re affiliations but it would be too much visually to put it on everything of any length. I appreciate an icon like Creative Commons may not express everything they want to convey in legal terms but it has helped display information without too much text. I realise there are bigger issues you are referring to though. Good luck, I hope they find practical answers that allow people to visit for an extended period of time.
As a U.S. citizen it has been troubling how many voices for diplomacy and peace have been smeared or silenced in recent years for discussing the facts surrounding our official narratives promoting military responses rather than restraint and diplomacy.
I have been in Russia the past 3 months and during that time many journalists for foreign media left the country to avoid running afoul of foreign agent laws. Virtually all of the Moscow Times staff left the country fearing prosecution if they were critical of Russian policy. As a reader who appreciated their balanced coverage in the past, it is disappointing to note that without reporters in Russia their coverage often reads more like a story out of the UK with Western predispositions.
However, I can say I feel safe as an American in Russia. We are not being targeted as the State department warns. Be normal. Do not bring drugs into the country, do not instigate anti-Russia protests, do not project anti-government hate propaganda in your work. There are plenty of Russian journalists writing critical works in Russian newspapers. The government leaves them alone for the most part, but they have cracked down on a few high-profile critics as we read in the news.
I think you would be surprised how normal Russia feels, even in these troubling times. Everything is open, museums and venues welcoming, fewer tourists, and see the impact of sanctions for yourself. Tougher for businesses and industries relying on US and Europe connections. No visa. On the other hand, does losing McDonald’s and Coca-Cola hurt locals? Replacements Vkusno i Tochka and Funky Monkey Cola and others are filling the void as an opportunity.
Personally, I think it is an amazing time to explore Russia with so many changes and so few Westerners willing to do their own fact-finding and add clarity to the issues.