RS condemns the inclusion of individuals in the list of "media-foreigners" in Russia

Radio Liberty Corporation/Radio Free Europe (RSA/RS) condemns the decision of the Russian authorities to include five individuals - citizens of Russia, including the freedom of journalists in the list of "media - foreign agents". The decision of the Ministry of Justice was announced on Monday, this is the first similar decision.

The vice-president and editor-in-chief of the RSE/RS Daisy Sindladar said in connection with the decision of the Russian authorities: “The fact that professional journalists were among the first of those whom Russia called“ foreign agents ”deserves conviction. Our colleagues from the North Street . Reali responsibly approached many problems-from freedom of speech to the corruption of local authorities and the growing number of victims Koronavirus, by its current decision, the Ministry of Justice clearly makes it clear that an honest message about the facts is a crime in his eyes, and that it will stop at anything in his attempts to silence the voices of people who are trying to inform, protect and give the opportunity to express themselves to their compatriots, Russian citizens. "

On Monday, the Ministry of Justice of Russia included five people in the register of "foreign media performing the functions of a foreign agent." The register included human rights activist Lev Ponomarev, civil activist Daria Apakhonchich, journalists Lyudmila Savitskaya and Sergey Markelov, as well as the author of Radio Liberty and the editor -in -chief of the Pskov province, Denis Kamalyagin.

According to the law “media - a foreign agent” who entered into action, an individual who distributes the materials of the publication or legal entity recognized by a foreign agent, participates in their creation and receives foreign financing. The Ministry of Justice did not explain on what grounds he included five people in the register.

Earlier, the Media List - “Foreign Agents” in Russia included, in particular, Radio Liberty and its regional projects, the Current Time TV channel, as well as several more units of the Radio Media Corporation Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The inclusion on the list imposes additional restrictions on the media, in particular, they (like individuals included in the list) are required to provide regular financial reports about their activities and in a certain way to march their media publications.

• According to the Russian authorities, these legislative measures affect the administrative and technical parameters of the work of the editorial staff, but do not limit the freedom of the work of journalists. The leadership of the Media Corporation of the RSE/RS evaluates the actions of the Russian authorities in connection with the legislation on the media - "foreign agents" as "dangerous efforts aimed at the pursuit of journalists, and the steps to ensure that Russian citizens receive only the information approved by the Kremlin." US laws guarantee journalistic independence of RSU/RS and do not allow political and censorship in the editorial policy.
• Russian legislation on non -profit organizations and the media - "foreign agents" has repeatedly been criticized by governments of Western countries and international human rights organizations. Russian representatives have repeatedly argued that the "Law on Media - Foreign Agents" is a "mirror reaction" to the requirements of American legislation on registration of the Russian television channel RT as a "foreign agent". However, RT carries out round-the-clock television broadcasting in cable networks throughout the United States, while access to cable networks and broadcasting and broadcasting for foreign media in Russia is significantly limited.
• The popularity of Radio Liberty in Russia is growing steadily. In 2020, the Russian RC/RS service sites register about 12 million visits per month. This is historically the best result of radio freedom for the entire existence of the Internet. The Radio Liberty communities in YouTube exceed a million people, 720 thousand people on Facebook.

At the end of December, the State Duma approved a new bill on individuals - "foreign agents" in the third reading . Separately, a document was adopted that introduces criminal liability (up to five years of imprisonment-in relation to individuals-anti-regents), if they have not submitted an application for inclusion in the appropriate register or do not report on their activities.