Russia Designates "Moscow Times" as a Foreign Agent

The Russian Ministry of Justice has classified the online newspaper "Moscow Times," published in both English and Russian, as a "foreign agent," the newspaper reported late last Friday. In a statement, the Ministry accused "Moscow Times" of "spreading inaccurate information about decisions made by the authorities," which creates a negative image of Russia. The newspaper stated on its website that this classification has been "disproportionately used to target independent journalists, activists, and non-governmental organizations in recent years." Media and journalists included in this classification are required to include a disclaimer on the materials they publish, and the designation imposes strict requirements regarding financial reporting and self-disclosure. The telecommunications regulatory authority in Russia has already banned the newspaper's website within the country.