On Friday, the Russian government added two new online media outlets to the "foreign agents" list, tightening the grip on freedom of expression and dissenting voices against the authorities. The Justice Ministry listed the news agency "Rostbalt" and the news analysis site "Republic" as "foreign agents." The Rostbalt site is widely popular and has offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg, while "Republic" delivers its news via subscriptions.
The classification of any media outlet as a "foreign agent" requires them to disclose this status in all their publications, texts, videos, and social media messages, which can deter sources and advertisers from interacting with them and make journalists' tasks extremely difficult. Editor-in-chief Dmitry Kolesiev stated on Telegram, "Of course, 'Republic' does not receive funding from abroad; it relies on subscriber funds."
Dozens of Russian journalists and several independent media outlets, including the TV channel Rain and the famous website Meduza, have been classified as "foreign agents" by the Russian judiciary. The Justice Ministry's list currently contains about 90 names. There are leading independent media not included on the list, such as Echo of Moscow radio and Novaya Gazeta, whose editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov received the Nobel Peace Prize last week jointly with Filipino investigative journalist Maria Ressa for their efforts in promoting freedom of expression.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the Nobel Prize awarded to Muratov would not "protect" him from being labeled a "foreign agent." Putin stated at a forum in Moscow, "If he does not violate Russian law and does not provide a reason for declaring him a foreign agent, then he will not be."
