Vladimir Putin promulgated laws that punish even those who publish "false news" or "offend the state"

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday released two controversial laws that will allow his government block or impose digital media that spreads false news and punish those who "commit offenses against the symbols of the state".

The first law punishes "fake news socially significant and disseminated as real information" that create a "security threat" to the public or the state, which can lead to conflict.

It is the prosecutors who will determine what is a "false information"and give the Russian press watchdog, Roskomnadzor, the power to force the removal of these contents.

The law provides for fines of up to 1.5 million rubles (approximately $ 22,700), especially if the offenses result in death or demonstrations. If digital media does not accept these measures, they will simply be blocked.

The second law punishes "crimes against the symbols of the state" and the lack of respect of the authorities, also giving Roskomnadzor the power to block such content.

In this case, it is also planned sentences of up to 15 days in prison for those who comment on these "offenses".

Kremlin critics maintain that The law is very vague in its text and could apply to many contentscomplicating and making journalistic work in Russia more dangerous.

In this way, they argue, this is another step in the campaign that Putin began in 2000, when he became president, gradually reduce freedoms, silence critical voices and control the media in Russia.

In the actual context, Putin faces declining popularity and growing economic problemsThis is why their opponents believe that the two new laws seek to force the Russians to respect the government, whatever it may be.

These economic problems that affect the Russians they are also linked to the many sanctions imposed on the country by the United States and the European Union after the annexation of Crimea in 2014, a fact strongly condemned by the international community and that Putin was preparing to commemorate this Monday.