Russian lawmakers have passed legislation that would facilitate the banning of foreign media

Russian lawmakers on Thursday passed a law allowing media outlets in countries labeled “favorable” and accusing Russia of suspending media outlets for broadcasting unrealistic information about the conflict in Ukraine.

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According to the House of Commons’ website, the text specifically gives the prosecution the right to “ban or restrict activities in Russia” from foreign countries whose governments have shown themselves to be “friendly” towards the Russian media.

The text was presented in retaliation for the fact that many Western countries have banned the Russian media from covering their territories, for example the Russian State RT’s multi-lingual news channel, accusing it of being “instruments of misinformation from the Kremlin”.

The text allows the prosecution to suspend without action any Russian media activity found guilty of spreading false information, such as “disrespect for society and the state or the constitution” or “defamation”. Russia’s Armed Forces. “

In order to come into force, the law must still be approved by the upper house of parliament, which must be formalized and then signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Spreading “false information” about the actions of the Russian military is already punishable by up to 15 years in prison in Russia, in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.