KREMLIN TIGHTENS CONTROL OVER FOREIGN MEDIA OUTLETS AMID UKRAINE WAR

Fri 15 July 2022:

Russia’s president authorized the country’s attorney general on Thursday to block foreign media outlets from countries that do the same to Russian outlets.

Amid international pushback over the ongoing war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin signed new legislation that gave the attorney general power to order outlets off the air in Russia if their home country does the same to Russian media.

The law also includes measures to block media that spread false reports on Russia‘s military or publish information aimed at discrediting it or material calling for participation in unauthorized events.

Special economic measures were also included in legislation signed by Putin, along with the issue of creating youth organizations that many have compared to similar bodies that existed under the Soviet Union.

Putin also approved a law “defending information” on Russia’s gold and currency reserves that includes measures against their publication.

Another law toughened the punishment for torture to up to 12 years in prison.

Since the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine in late February 2022, Russian internet users have experienced what has been dubbed the descent of a “digital iron curtain.”

Russian authorities blocked access to all major opposition news sites, as well as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Under the new laws purporting to combat fake news about the Russian-Ukrainian war, internet users have faced administrative and criminal charges for allegedly spreading online disinformation about Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Most Western technology companies, from Airbnb to Apple, have stopped or limited their Russian operations as part of the broader corporate exodus from the country.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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