Rights groups call for a Special Rapporteur mandate on the human rights situation in Russia
A dedicated Special Rapporteur mandate would independently collect information and analyse the human rights situation in Russia, allowing Human Rights Council Members to be informed by in-depth and authoritative reports and to make recommendations on how to improve the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in the country.”
Russian state media regulator to fine or block ‘false’ reports on military call-up
According to the state media regulator’s statement, media organizations must use “information and data obtained exclusively from federal and regional executive bodies when preparing and publishing materials related to mobilization activities in the Russian Federation.”
Russian authorities suspend print licence for ‘Novaya Gazeta’
‘Novaya Gazeta’ suspended its print operation in Russia in March after receiving official warnings for allegedly failing to mark materials produced by so-called “foreign agents”. The newspaper is now barred from resuming printing in the future.
Russian prosecutor requests 24 years in prison for journalist Ivan Safronov
Safronov has been behind bars since July 2020 on treason charges, after authorities accused him of spying for a foreign country. The BBC has reported that he is being prosecuted in retaliation for his 2019 reporting on Russia’s sale of fighter jets to Egypt.
Russia has committed 435 crimes against the media in Ukraine
In the first six months of the war in Ukraine, Russian forces have killed a total of 37 journalists, eight of whom died in the course of their work. Another fourteen have been injured and four are considered missing.
Russia: Journalist Isabella Yevloyeva faces 3rd criminal case for ‘fake’ reporting about the army
The charges against Yevloyeva stem from a June post on her news website’s Telegram channel, which allegedly contained false information about the Russian armed forces. Yevloyeva, who is currently located outside Russia, was put on the country’s wanted list.
Press freedom in Russia on the tenth anniversary of the ‘foreign agent’ law
“Long abused by the government, the 2012 law was instrumental in causing self-censorship and a mass exodus of domestic and international outlets from Russia, as well as forcing the remaining independent media organizations underground” – IPI
Russia has committed 428 crimes against the media in Ukraine
As of 24 July, the Russian military have killed a total of 36 journalists in Ukraine, 8 while they were reporting. Fourteen journalists have been injured and four are missing.
Fake video calls to European mayors aim to harm Ukrainian refugees
In video calls, a fake ‘Mayor Klitschko’ spoke with the mayors of Berlin, Vienna, Warsaw, and other cities, discussed details about Russia’s war in Ukraine – and called for people fleeing the war to be returned to Ukraine. Notorious Russian prank callers have claimed responsibility.
Russia: Proposed legislation expands ‘foreign agent’ regulations
Whereas the current law requires proof that a journalist has received foreign funding before adding them to the ‘foreign agents’ list, the proposed law says anyone who “has received support and/or is otherwise under foreign influence” and whose work is widely disseminated or involves politics or the military would be labelled as a foreign agent.
Ukraine: Investigation indicates Russian troops executed journalist Maks Levin
Reporters Without Borders investigators on the ground say that the evidence against the Russian forces is overwhelming.
Exiled Russian journalists charged with disseminating ‘fake news’ about war in Ukraine
A Russian court ordered the ‘arrest in absentia’ of journalists Ruslan Leviev and Michael Nacke over comments they made in a YouTube discussion that contradicted Russia’s official narrative about the war.
What Russia’s goal of an isolated internet means for press freedom
“Journalists in Russia are going to have a far harder time to do reporting and get that reporting out to other citizens… on the external side, it’s harder for journalists globally to get information into Russia on things that are going on, not just in Russia, but around the world”.
Crimean journalist detained by Russian forces charged with handling explosives
Crimea-based journalist Iryna Danilovich went missing on 29 April and was later found to be detained by Russian occupying forces. She faces a possible eight years in prison if convicted of “illegal handling” of explosives.
IMI media expert forced to leave Warsaw due to threats
After dousing the Russian ambassador in fake blood during a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Iryna Zemlyana was doxxed on Russian Telegram channels and received several threats to rape and kill her.
IPI documents 356 media freedom attacks amidst Russia-Ukraine war
In Ukraine, at least 7 journalists have been killed and another 33 fired upon or wounded. In Russia, at least 114 media websites have been blocked, 10 major press outlets have been closed, and at least 11 journalists have been fined or detained under the new ‘fake’ news law.