Support The Moscow Times!

U.S. Ambassador Huntsman Disappointed by Russia's Foreign Media Bill

John Huntsman (Mikhail Japaridze / TASS)

U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman says he’s disappointed by a new bill that targets foreign news outlets, passed in response to Kremlin-backed news channel RT’s registration as a "foreign agent" in the United States. 

Russian senators voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill earlier on Wednesday, a week after the lower house of parliament passed without a single dissenting voice. After being signed into law by President Vladimir Putin, news outlets that receive funding from abroad may be branded “foreign agents.”

The country's Justice Ministry has reportedly warned two U.S.-funded news outlets they may be added to the list before the upper house took the bill up for consideration. The designation would require foreign outlets to disclose their status, report their activities and agree to financial inspections.

Non-compliant foreign news organizations could be blocked in Russia without a court order.

Ambassador Huntsman told the state-run TASS news agency that the bill could weaken the voice of media in the lives of the Russian people. 

Previously, Huntsman criticized Russia's draft bill as more punitive than the U.S. foreign agent law, despite high-level Russian officials's assertions that they are taking reciprocal steps.

Officials in the U.S. say that RT’s registration under the 1938 anti-Nazi propaganda law will not limit the network's ability to work in the country, but will only require the outlet to disclose its mission and funding.

"That’s far different from designating somebody a foreign agent," Huntsman said last week. "And effectively making it virtually impossible for them to operate."

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more