A new media law in Russia makes it more difficult for journalists to work independently. In the midst of Russia’s war against Ukraine, international media are now shutting down their work in Russia.
London/Washington/Ottawa – Following the enactment of a new media law in Russia, several international broadcasters and agencies have suspended all or part of their work in the country.
“CNN will stop broadcasting in Russia while we continue to assess the situation and our next steps,” a spokesman for the US broadcaster said. The US news agency Bloomberg had previously announced that it would stop reporting on Russian territory. The British BBC and the Canadian broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada are also suspending their work in the Russian Federation for the time being.
“Normal journalism impossible”
“Bloomberg News will temporarily suspend the work of its journalists in Russia,” the New York-based company announced. The change in the law appears to be aimed at making every independent journalist a criminal, said Bloomberg editor-in-chief John Micklethwait. This makes it impossible “to continue any semblance of normal journalism in the country”.
The BBC announced their decision via Twitter. “This legislation appears to criminalize the process of independent journalism,” BBC director general Tim Davie was quoted as saying in the tweet. “This leaves us with no option but to halt the work of all BBC News journalists and their staff in the Russian Federation while we investigate the full impact of this undesirable development.”
safety first
Employee safety comes first, Davie continued. “We are not willing to put them at risk of prosecution just because they are doing their job.” He expressed his respect for all employees in Russia, “for their bravery, determination and professionalism”.
However, the BBC’s Russian-language news program will continue to be operated from outside Russia. Reporting from Ukraine will also continue. The BBC remains committed to making independent information available to audiences around the world, including millions of Russians using the BBC News Service.
Independent reporting “criminalized”
Canadian broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada is also “very concerned” about the new legislation in Russia, Canada’s state broadcaster said. Independent reporting on the current situation in Ukraine and Russia is apparently “criminalized” as a result.
“Given this situation, and concerned about the risk to our journalists and employees in Russia, we have temporarily suspended our on-the-ground reporting in Russia while we get clarity on this legislation,” the company said. Together with other media, they are working “for a free press and unhindered access to correct, independent journalism in Ukraine and Russia”.
Moscow continues to speak of “special operation”
On Friday evening, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed several laws further restricting freedom of expression in Russia, which curtail independent media reporting. Up to 15 years in prison are threatened for spreading alleged “false information” about the Russian armed forces. Penalties also threaten those who publicly “denigrate” the army. The Russian parliament had previously approved a corresponding change in the law.
Since last week, media in Russia have been banned from using terms such as “attack”, “invasion” and “declaration of war” in reporting on the war against Ukraine. Moscow describes the war as a military “special operation”. dpa
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