Journalists arrested during press freedom protest in Moscow

Several journalists were arrested this Saturday during a demonstration for press freedom in Moscow after the designation of a television critic as “foreign agent”, as happened this Sunday.

The communicators held several concentrations with banners with slogans like “Journalism is not a crime” O “They are afraid of the truth” in Moscow’s Lubyanka Square, where the headquarters of the Russian Federal Police, the FSB, are located to avoid strict Russian legislation on protests. However, there was various arrestsRadio Free Europe reported.

The protest was triggered after the Russian Justice Ministry’s announcement last Friday that it designated Dozhd TV, investigative journalism portal Vazhnye Istorii (Important Information) and seven journalists as organizations and individuals considered “foreign agents”.

Dozhd criticized the appointment and announced his intention to appeal the measure. The network has a long tradition of giving space and a voice to critical figures in the Kremlin and has traditionally reported on protests against President Vladimir Putin.

The classification as a “foreign agent” affects foreign-funded individuals or organizations that engage in political action and, according to human rights organizations, serves to persecute dissent. It allows for increased control of these individuals and organizations by the security forces and affects their credibility and ability to attract advertisers.

“The blatant attempt by the Russian authorities to label the independent media as ‘foreign agents’ must stop,” Amnesty International said in a statement.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also urged the Russian Ministry of Justice to “put an end to this defamatory and liberticidal record which threatens pluralism”. “Being on the list means marking publications with the label ‘foreign agent’ in large letters and reporting all their income and expenses to the ministry. These restrictive measures frighten advertisers and discredit the media concerned, ”added the organization.

BACKGROUND

Russian news site The initiate, which collaborates with the Bellingcat investigation group responsible for several revelations on the Russian secret service, was declared Friday “agent of the foreigner”, a law that could greatly hinder its operation.

According to the Russian Ministry of Justice, The initiate it has been added to the list of “foreign agents” because the organization is registered in Latvia.

In April and May, two well-known Russian media –Astonished and Vtimes– they had already been appointed under this statute, which resulted in the closure of the second after a few weeks.

Ten days ago, the Russian government decided not to renew the visa of BBC correspondent Sarah Rainsford in retaliation for alleged mistreatment of the Russian press in the UK.

Rainsford, a veteran UK network correspondent, will have to leave the country before the end of the month, with her visa expiring on August 31, according to Russian state television.

(with information from EP and EFE)

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