The government has approved rules for labeling materials of “foreign agents”

All "foreign agents" will be required to mark their materials in a certain form.

On November 22, 2022, the Russian government approved the rules for labeling materials distributed by "foreign agents" and heads of organizations recognized as "foreign agents". They come into force on December 1 - simultaneously with the new law on "foreign agents" - and will be in effect for six years.

The government decree provides that when carrying out political activities, collecting information in the field of military-technical activities and distributing "messages and materials intended for an unlimited circle of persons", as well as when sending materials to public authorities, educational and other organizations, "foreign agents" will have to accompany them with the following wording:

• This material (information) (produced, distributed and (or) sent) by a foreign agent (name, surname, first name, patronymic (if any), contained in the register of foreign agents) or concerns the activities of a foreign agent (name, surname, first name, patronymic ( if any) contained in the register of foreign agents) .

For materials produced, distributed or sent by the founder, member, participant, head of a public association recognized as a "foreign agent", head or member of the body of a legal entity - "foreign agent", a different wording is provided:

• This material (information) (produced, distributed and (or) sent)   (last name, first name, patronymic (if any)) who is (the founder, member, participant, leader or a person who is part of the body of the persons specified in part 4 of the article 9 of the Federal Law "On Control over the Activities of Persons Under Foreign Influence") , included in the register of foreign agents.

At the same time, rules are established for marking, similar to those in force since 2020 for the media-"foreign agents". The text indication should be placed before the beginning of the message itself, but under the heading (or, in the absence of a heading, before the material); at the same time, its font size should be twice the font size of the text of the message, the color should be contrasting with the background, it is not allowed to overlay indications on other images and materials. In audiovisual productions, notices must last at least 15 seconds and be shown at the beginning of the broadcast and after each break. In this case, the image should be located in the center of the screen at least 20% of its area. An audio message cannot be superimposed on other audio material, accelerated or reduced in volume.

Sources

• Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated November 22, 2022 No. 2108 // Official Internet portal of legal information. November 22, 2022