Russia accuses US special services of trying to recruit Russian media
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said that Russian media representatives, including those in the United States, are being recruited by Special Services, reports Interfax.
"Recently, representatives of Russian media, including in the US, have been subjected to severe pressure from the Special Services, namely, attempts at recruitment," Zakharova said. She added that the journalists received threats without specifying details.
Russia considers such actions to be an "encroachment on freedom of speech in the world as a whole," Zakharova stressed. She noted that Russia is raising the issue of "unprecedented pressure" from US Special Services before the entire international community.
Zakharova said that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov intends to discuss the situation surrounding Russian media with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on December 7 in Vienna.
Recall that in late October, the propaganda channel Russia Today was deprived of accreditation by the US Congress after registering as a Foreign Agent. In retaliation, the State Duma adopted a bill recognizing foreign media working in Russia as foreign agents. The day before, the Justice Ministry listed nine media outlets, among which were Voice of America and Radio Liberty, which will be impacted by the law. As of yesterday, journalists from Voice of America and Radio Liberty have been banned from visiting the State Duma.