US state-run Voice of America, RFE/RL 'defiantly refusing' to follow Russian foreign agent law: Regulator
The Russian government’s media regulator says US state-run outfits Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty [RFE/RL] are "defiantly refusing" to comply with Russian legislation on the work of foreign agents within the country.
Media regulator Roskomnadzor said Russian law describes restrictions and regulations “in detail” in order to prevent “ambiguous interpretations,” and there could be serious penalties for non-compliance.
“American media outlets Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty [RFE/RL], which are listed as foreign agents, are defiantly refusing to comply with the law in full,” the regulator said in a statement.
“In particular, Voice of America is yet to establish a Russian legal entity, and Radio Liberty is systematically failing to comply with the requirement to mark the materials it posts.”
Roskomnadzor says the Russian laws are “much more tolerant than similar regulation in many foreign countries.”
The regulator referenced the US Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires foreign agents to submit regular financial reports and give a detailed description of contacts with government officials.
Russian 'foreign agent' law pinpoint NGOs that engage in political activity using foreign funding.
According to the legislation, mass media organizations and specific individuals, who are deemed “foreign agents”, must make the designation clear to their readers.
The law was expanded in 2017 to include media organizations after RT TV network (former Russia Today) was declared a foreign agent in the United States.
Latvia-based news outlet Meduza and Dutch-funded online newspaper VTimes have been added to the list of foreign agents in recent months. Both Voice of America and RFE/RL have had the designation for four years.
Roskomnadzor noted that, "Russian media outlets deemed foreign agents by the US – in particular, Russia Today and news agency Sputnik – have completely fulfilled their requirements under American law, unlike US state media in Russia."
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused Moscow of using the 'foreign agent' legislation to “restrict independent reporting, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty,” a charge Moscow denies.
The Russian media regulator said in February that it fined the Russian-language service of US-funded Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe nearly $150,000 over non-compliance with its 'foreign agent law.
Roskomnadzor said RFE/RL's director failed to label nine of the US outlet’s websites operating in Russia.
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