Russian representatives on Tuesday in first reading adopted a bill that should make it possible to close in Russia, by simple decision of prosecution, foreign media accused of disseminating information deemed untrue in conflict in Ukraine.
Russia’s lower house of parliament, the Duma, has indicated that these media may be banned in the case of dissemination of information aimed at discrediting the Russian armed forces or in connection with the introduction of sanctions against Russia.
Under this bill, the Attorney General or his or her representatives has the right to withdraw a broadcasting license from a media outlet if it publishes information deemed illegal where dangerous.
Accreditations of journalists working for foreign media can also be canceled, according to this text, to be ratified after three readings in the Duma and a final in the upper house.
In a press release, the Duma added that the bill also makes it possible close or restrict the activities of a media outlet in Russia, if the authorities of the country of origin of this media outlet have taken unfriendly action against Russian media outlets abroad.
In early March, Russian authorities passed two laws criminalizing the act of siraan the Russian armed forces and the dissemination of “false information” about the latter, two offenses that could lead to heavy prison sentences.
Since the Kremlin offensive, Russian state media RT and Sputnik have also been banned from broadcasting in Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, raising the risk of retaliation against the newsrooms of these countries working with Russia.
On May 18, Russia closed the Moscow bureau of CBC/Radio-Canada, in response to the ban on RT broadcasting in Canada.
Last week, the Committee to Protect Journalists, a U.S.-based non-governmental organization, called for Russia’s newly proposed law to be overturned, saying it would facilitate arbitrary media bans and lead to an increase in journalists being prosecuted for sharing information.
Source: Radio-Canada
