OSCE Representative Désir concerned by enactment of law broadening “foreign agent” status to individuals in Russia

VIENNA, 3 December 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today regarding the enactment of the law which extends the status of a “foreign agent” to private individuals, and introduces new restrictions on the distribution of information from media outlets categorized as “foreign agents” (known as “media outlets–foreign agents”).

The law, which was signed by President Vladimir Putin on 2 December 2019 and enforced the same day, allows government authorities to label individuals as “foreign agents” when they publish (off- or online) information, like written texts or audiovisual material, for a broader public. Individuals can also be labelled “foreign agents” if they receive any funding or other assets from foreign or international governmental and non-governmental sources, or from “media outlets–foreign agents”.

“This law imposes significant administrative burdens both upon the concerned individuals and media organizations, as well as introduces disproportionately restrictive measures such as blocking of access to the online materials that are not properly labelled as stories from ‘foreign agents’”, said Désir. “This law will restrict the access to information and the dissemination of information. This represent a dangerous regulatory practice, which narrows the space for freedom of expression, freedom of the media and free flow of information in the Russian Federation. There should be no discrimination based on the origin of the source of information.”

In January 2018 and November 2019, Désir criticized the draft law as it passed the first and second readings (see www.osce.org/fom/368161 and www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/439658).

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He/she 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 facebook.com/osce.rfom.