Russia in crackdown on ‘foreign’ media firms

Russian politicians have submitted legal amendments allowing the government to register international media outlets as foreign agents.

The amendments, which could be voted on as early as today, were agreed after the Russian state-funded RT registered with the US justice department as a foreign agent following pressure from the American government.

US intelligence agencies have alleged RT served as a tool for the Kremlin to meddle in their 2016 presidential election. Russia has denied interference.

Russia’s State Duma member Pyotr Tolstoy said the proposed amendments would give the justice ministry authority to register foreign media outlets as foreign agents.

Following registration, the news outlets would be subject to requirements that already apply to foreign funded non-governmental organisation under a 2012 law.

The law was approved after a slew of anti-kremlin protests in Moscow in 2011-12.