Moscow, Europe Brief News – Russia’s parliament has passed a law making it an offense for journalists to spread “fake” information about the armed forces.
Thus, many journalists have suspended their work and left Russia, as they are threatened with prison.
Journalists from international news networks operating in Russia have left the country for their own safety.
The BBC, for example, has temporarily suspended the work of all its journalists in Russia.
BBC Director-General Tim Davie said the legislation “appears to criminalise the process of independent journalism”.
Most media outlets in Russia have followed state orders to toe Vladimir Putin’s line, for example by not calling Russia’s invasion of Ukraine an “invasion.”
The global live-stream of Russia Today refers to it as a “special operation,” parroting Putin’s words, instead of “war.”
On Thursday, one of Russia’s last independent news outlets, TV Rain, stopped broadcasting after coming under pressure.
The channel ended its final broadcast by showing staff walking off set.
The crackdown on independent journalists comes as Russia’s economy face tough sanctions. Its currency, the rouble, has plunged in value, hitting the savings of citizens.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of “nuclear terror” after it reportedly bombarded a large nuclear power station, causing a fire in a nearby building.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted the war in Ukraine is “going to plan”.
