Russian President Putin Signs ‘Foreign Agent’ Media Law

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that allows the government to list any foreign media operating in the country as a foreign agent.

The bill, in retaliation for Kremlin-backed broadcaster RT being told to register as a foreign agent in the US, was earlier approved by parliament.

At least nine US-funded broadcasters, including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty could be hit.

RT is accused of being part of Russia’s alleged meddling in the US election.
The new Russian law affects foreign-registered media outlets which receive funding from outside Russia.

They are now subject to additional requirements and failure to meet them could result in the suspension of their activities.

If they are required to register, they will have to say in their broadcasts and on their websites that they are foreign agents.

A similar law already exists targeting charities and other civil society groups.

Russia’s justice ministry can now decide which outlets the steps applied to and under what circumstances.