Matvienko opposed the idea of ​​blocking the sites of foreign media in Russia

The speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko spoke out against the idea of ​​blocking sites of foreign Russian -speaking media. This is reported by Interfax.

"I do not support similar ideas. We will not follow the path of those states whose authorities are trying to impede the activities of the media outrageous, limit freedom of speech. Our legislation in this area is quite sufficient, optimal. It must be carried out. In case of violation of the current laws, the appropriate measures should be applied," Matvienko said, Matvienko

The head of the upper house expressed confidence that "no new restrictions," clamps "are required."

On June 28, the Commission of the Council for the Protection of State Sovereignty and the Prevention of Interference in the Internal Affairs of Russia proposed to oblige foreign Russian -speaking media "to disclose its sources of financing at the request of the Ministry of Justice and report on its activities in accordance with the Law on Foreign Agents." According to the head of the commission Andrei Klimaa, those publications that refuse to fulfill new norms will be blocked by Roskomnadzor.

Senators also propose to give the Ministry of Justice the authority to find out the sources of financing Russian media. If the publication see “sources of foreign financing and (signs. - Ed.) Activities in the interests of a foreign state,” then he will be obliged to register and report as an “agent”, Klimov noted.

Press Secretary of President Vladimir Putin Dmitry Peskov said that the details are still unknown, "it is difficult to evaluate the initiative" on the blocking of foreign media. Peskov emphasized that the proposals of the senators are "subject to the most serious study through all departments", and "so far talk about some single position in this regard prematurely."

The head of the Moscow Journalists, Pavel Gusev, considers the proposal of senators part of the campaign against network publications. "As far as I understand, a certain campaign will unfold against the Internet media now, and their positions will be toughened," Gusev said. He called the initiative "self-promotion and PR of certain senators or deputies," but he suggested that behind it "there is one of the power structures."

Meanwhile, Russian media are already obliged to notify Roskomnadzor of receiving funds from abroad under the law adopted at the end of 2015 . The publications should report on the receipt of funds in the amount of more than 15 thousand rubles at a time from a foreign state, international and foreign organizations, NPOs - "foreign agents", foreign citizens, as well as from Russian organizations established by foreigners.