The Russian authorities, the independent news site noted Meduza, would like to wait until Friday evening to make controversial decisions. Meduza These very authorities themselves have already declared “foreign agents”, with all the crippling consequences for the medium. On Friday evening they put two other media on the agent list, the independent online TV broadcaster Doschd (Russian: rain) and the portal iStorieswhose editor-in-chief Roman Anin is considered one of the most experienced investigative journalists in the country.
As a result, several independent journalists took to the streets on Saturday. They stood individually in front of the headquarters of the domestic intelligence service FSB, held up signs that read “We will not stop being journalists” and “You fear the truth”. Such one-person protests are the only spontaneous actions that are still halfway allowed in Russia. Nevertheless, the police arrested at least nine journalists, arguing that they were too close to each other, the civil rights portal OWD-Info later reported. Most of those arrested have now been released but face a fine.
25 individual journalists and 18 media organizations are already on the list of foreign agents
In Russia, for example, the wheel of repression against the free press is turning ever faster: 25 individual journalists and 18 media organizations are already on the list of foreign agents, the investigative editorial team of Project as an “undesirable organization” was even banned from working. The Agents Act makes the work of journalists so difficult because they have to identify themselves as “foreign agents” every time they are published – something that discourages audiences, sources and advertisers. The label is not only destroying the business foundation of the media. It also entails reporting obligations on all income and exceptions that are difficult to fulfill, and violations are punished.
Several editorial offices have therefore already given up, Meduza for example, it keeps afloat through donations. Doschd also wants to continue, said its founder and boss Natalja Sindejewa to the Meduza portal. It was foreseeable that it would hit your station sooner or later – but you can hardly prepare for it. You might as well think about the fact that “tomorrow you will be hit on the head and have to go to hospital injured”. In other words: You can hardly arm yourself against the repression of the authorities.