Putin signs "foreign agents" media law

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law which will allow authorities to list foreign media operating in Russia as “foreign agents”, Reuters reports with a reference to RIA news agency.

According to the document, any foreign media that receives finances or property from abroad (including Russian legal entities sponsored from foreign sources) can become a foreign agent. It should be noted that there are no specific publications or TV channels in the law.

Responsibility for deciding who to recognize as an agent is on the Ministry of Justice. To meet this demand, the agency can create a separate register of foreign agents media, if there is such a need.

It is known that the media received the status of a foreign agent, will have to label their materials and provide reports accordingly. In case of refusal of registration, the norm of the law on foreign agents-nonprofit organizations will apply to them.

It is specified that the Russian media will not be affected by the amendments.

Earlier it was reported that warnings from the Ministry of Justice had already been received by some mass media. Voice of America, Radio Liberty, Kavkaz.Realii, Krym.Realii, Sibir.Realii, IdeL.Realii, and TV channel ‘Present time’ could be recognized as foreign agents.

Note that the amendments on the status of the media - foreign agents have become a forced response to the oppression of Russian media in the US and, in particular, the requirement for RT America to register as a foreign agent, RIA Novosti reports.