Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday, December 29, commented on the update of the register of foreign media agents, which for the first time included individuals.
“The Ministry of Justice really took action in accordance with the amended law. In accordance with this law. It is too early to draw conclusions about risks, now there is an accumulation of law enforcement practice, while it is too early to talk about risks and negative manifestations, ”he said.
According to Peskov, representatives of the media or the public often express concerns about various laws, but later admit that these fears are groundless.
The day before, on December 28, the Ministry of Justice of Russia for the first time included individuals in the register of mass media performing the functions of foreign agents. Human rights activist Lev Ponomarev was included among others. There are currently 17 positions on this list.
On October 30, Roskomnadzor warned that it would fine foreign media outlets if they did not have the labeling of the distributed materials, which would indicate the status.
In December 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on additional regulation of the activities of foreign media agents in the country.
In the same month, the Russian leader approved fines of up to 5 million rubles for non-compliance with the law on media – foreign agents and explained that the law on the recognition of an organization is needed not to ban it, but to make its activities transparent.