Russia prepares to recognize Radio Liberty project Krym.Realii as a foreign agent
The Russian Ministry of Justice of Russia has sent a notice to the Radio Liberty project Krym.Realii as well as Radio Liberty’s Tatar-Bashkir service that the two publications may be recognized as foreign agents, reported RIA Novosti, citing a source in the department.
The projects Idel.Realii and Kavkaz.Realii, Voice of America, and Current Time, a joint project between Radio Liberty and Voice of America, as well as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were also warned earlier.
The day prior, the State Duma adopted amendments that recognize foreign media in Russia as foreign agents if they are financed from abroad. The document is under consideration next by the Federation Council. If it is approved by the Upper House of the parliament, it will go to the President for signature.
Any foreign media that receives funding or property from abroad (including Russian legal entities sponsored by foreign sources) can be recognized as a foreign agent. Media agencies that are recognized as agents will have to label their materials and provide reports accordingly.
The activities of Radio Liberty and Voice of America are coordinated by the US Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) and funded by the US Congress.
The site Krym.Realii was launched after the so-called "referendum" in March 2014, after which Russia annexed the Crimea. Materials on the project's website are published in Russian, Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar.