RUSSIAN CLAMPDOWN ON THE MEDIA

Since invading Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has continuously violated fundamental human rights, including freedom of speech. It has also restricted the ability of journalists and independent media outlets to carry out their work and operate within the country. Most independent media outlets in Russia have been banned, blocked, discredited, or subjected to military censorship. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, independent journalists and media have faced an intensifying crackdown, with many declared “foreign agents.”  Russia has enacted repressive laws targeting independent media, especially those deemed “foreign agents” or “undesirable organizations.” Journalists working for “undesirable” organizations can be imprisoned for their reporting. Outlets and journalists labeled “foreign agents” must comply with onerous auditing and labeling rules that drain resources.

World Press Freedom Index which is updated annually ranks Rusia 164 among 180 countries in 2023

Russia has used laws to repress Independent Journalism. The Russian government has been passing laws that make the act of reporting the truth — which could be contrary to the state’s narrative — a crime. Russia’s repression of the media has “snowballed” over time to create a system where any independent media voice is outlawed. The Russian government first introduced a “foreign agents” law back in 2012 when demonstrators took to the streets to protest against Putin’s return to the presidency, alleging election fraud. The law was used to place limits on civil rights groups funded from abroad and required groups engaging in political activity to register as “foreign agents” Year over year, that law has been tightened and new things have been added to it. First, it was just a general law about foreign funding. Then, it was applied to foreign media agents. Then, it was applied to individuals and it was applied to broader civil society organizations.”

The Russian government denies that the foreign agent label is censorship and in a June 2021 interview Putin described it as a way to prevent “interference in our domestic affairs” However, human rights organizations say the term “foreign agent” in Russia is similar to being labeled a “spy” or “traitor.” There’s no way to contest the designation in court beforehand, and “foreign agents” have to label anything they publish as the work of a foreign agent and submit quarterly financial reports. If they fail to do so, they can face fines or imprisonment. They’re also now prohibited from several activities in public life, such as joining the civil service, donating to election campaigns or teaching minors.

In recent years, especially after the start of the Ukraine war, laws relating to freedom of expression, including defamation and spreading “fake” information, have been amended and expanded. There are more than 50 general laws in Russia that restrict press freedom. If you say something about the war which contradicts the position of the defense ministry, then it’s a crime. Disseminating “fake news” or any information about the war in Ukraine that the Russian government deems to be false can lead to imprisonment of up to 15 years and fines and fines of up to five million rubles ($48,245).

Censorship, Blocked Access and Shutdowns of Independent Media:  All privately owned independent TV channels have been banned from broadcasting in Russia, with the exception of cable entertainment channels. After lawmakers passed a law in March 2022 criminalizing the spread of “fake” information that discredits the Russian armed forces, the government cut access to several western media outlets such as BBC Russia, Deutsche Welle, Radio Liberty, Euronews and France 24.  Since the start of the war, Roskomnadzor, Russia’s media regulator, has blocked access to most independent sources of information, including radio station Ekho Moskvy, channel TV Rain, Latvia-based news outlet Meduza, and Muratov’s Novaya Gazeta as well as the Riga-based Novaya Gazeta Europe. The government has also restricted or denied accreditation and the extension of visas to foreign journalists in Russia. Those that do continue to operate are allies of the Kremlin or have to censor themselves in order to maintain access.

Russia’s crackdown on the media has also been felt online. The focus has increasingly been “on the online sphere and the threats that the internet poses” to Putin. As of September 2022, around 1.2 million internet sites were blocked in Russia.The government has also blocked social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X.

The situation for independent media has become “untenable,” forcing many independent news outlets to shut down. Faced with this climate, more than 300 journalists fled the country between February and October 2022. There are very few independent journalists left in Russia. Those who are trying to continue reporting understand that they risk their freedom and often conceal their identities.