Policy of discrimination of media as “foreign agents” should stop, says OSCE Representative following legal amendments in Russia

VIENNA, 4 July 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today raised his concern about the draft law amending the “Statute on the Mass Media” in the Russian Federation. If adopted in its current state, the law would extend the status of “foreign agent” not only to media but to individual journalists and other authors.

The Representative made his statement ahead of the second reading of the draft law in the State Duma. According to the Deputy Speaker of the State Duma, the new legislation would, among other provisions, oblige individuals to publish reports about their financing and how they have spent it.

“I have consistently stressed that the labelling of media and journalists as “foreign agents” anywhere in the OSCE region is a stigmatizing and discriminating practice that may impact negatively their work and have a considerable chilling effect,” he said. “There should be no discriminatory policy against media or journalists based on their country of origin.”

Russian legal regulations on foreign ownership of the media and the “foreign agents” law have been raised by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media in correspondence with the authorities and press releases (see https://www.osce.org/fom/368161,  www.osce.org/fom/124143 and www.osce.org/fom/357111).

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.