According to specialists of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Russian Duma is considering a draft law that will limit the activities of opposition media in Russia in the long term.
A bill is being introduced to limit the activities of opposition media in Russia
The review notes that the Russian State Duma is considering a bill restricting the entry into Russia of persons whom the Russian government defines as "undesirable".
Analysts suggest that this is likely part of an ongoing effort to censor opposition media and destroy ties between Russia and foreign and international non-governmental organisations.
Vasily Piskarev, head of the Russian Duma's security and anti-corruption committee, announced on February 12 that he and other deputies have submitted a draft law that would allow the Russian government to designate foreign organisations whose founders or members are likely connected to foreign governments as "undesirable."
The bill will also prohibit foreigners and stateless persons participating in the activities of such "undesirable" organisations from entering Russia.
Experts say the bill would likely bar entry to Russia for journalists from Russian opposition media based outside Russia and foreign media with Russian broadcasts (such as Britain's BBC and Germany's Deutsche Welle), thereby limiting their ability to cover domestic affairs the Russian Federation, and will probably further block the work of international and foreign non-governmental organisations in Russia.
The ISW adds that the Russian authorities can also bring criminal charges and deprive Russian citizenship of persons found guilty of participating in "undesirable" organisations.
Plans of the Russian Federation regarding censorship
Piskarev recently announced that the State Duma is considering another bill that would ban Russian citizens and companies from advertising on platforms owned by organisations identified as "foreign agents," presumably to use financial coercion to censor Russian opposition media and critical Russian ultra-nationalist military bloggers.
According to ISW, the Kremlin is trying to consolidate control over the Russian information space and suppress dissent ahead of the March 2024 presidential election in Russia. However, the bill will likely severely limit the activities of opposition media in Russia in the long term.
