Russia toughens law on foreign media

Russian MPs yesterday backed new legislation that could force foreign media outlets to register as "foreign agents" in a reciprocal response to US pressure on Kremlin-backed TV channel RT.

Lawmakers approved amendments to broaden a 2012 law aimed at non-governmental organisations to include foreign media. Rights groups fear it could have a chilling effect on the ability of outlets to carry out independent reporting.

The existing regulations force NGOs that have international funding and whose activities are deemed "political" to undergo scrutiny of their finances and staffing, and label themselves as "foreign agents" on paperwork and statements

The Kremlin praised parliament's vote as allowing it to offer a "very harsh" response to attacks on Russian media abroad.

The law could be used against US media such as Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which receive funding from the US Congress. Members of parliament have given contradictory statements on whether the law could apply to commercial TV network CNN.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also referred to criticism from Britain and Spain as well as the US, complaining that "a whole number of our partners in Europe and across the ocean have nothing better to do than to accuse our media and declare them as foreign agents."