Russia could target any foreign media under new law, says MP
MOSCOW: Russia would be able to list any foreign media outlet as a “foreign agent” under new measures expected to be approved Wednesday, a lawmaker said, as Moscow responds to US pressure on the Kremlin-backed RT channel.
The move comes as Washington fights what it calls a barrage of “fake news” from Russian media and online outlets aimed at interfering in US domestic politics.
Parliament is set to approve a number of amendments to an existing media bill Wednesday, meaning they could go into force as early as next week, said Pyotr Tolstoy, deputy speaker of Russia’s lower house of Parliament.
“(The law) gives the relevant government institution the opportunity to classify media outlets that receive money from abroad as foreign agents,” he told Rossiya 24 channel, when asked which outlets are likely to be put on the list first.