Key facts
- Russia's Justice Ministry designated the independent news outlet Mediazona as a 'foreign agent'.
- The designation is applied to foreign-funded organizations deemed to be engaged in political activity.
Russia's Justice Ministry has declared the independent news outlet Mediazona a "foreign agent," a designation used to label foreign-funded organizations engaged in political activity. The outlet stated this is the second time it has received this designation.
The designation of Mediazona as a 'foreign agent' reflects Russia's ongoing crackdown on independent media and dissent, increasing scrutiny and potential legal repercussions for journalists operating within or reporting on the country.
Russia's Justice Ministry has designated the independent news outlet Mediazona as a "foreign agent," a label used for foreign-funded organizations accused of political activity. The ministry stated that Mediazona disseminated false information regarding Russia's law enforcement system. This marks the second time the outlet has received this designation, which subjects designated entities to increased government scrutiny and carries negative Soviet-era connotations.
Mediazona confirmed the designation via its Telegram channel. Yegor Skovoroda, an editor for Mediazona who works outside of Russia, described the ministry's statement as "incredibly crazy." The news outlet was initially designated a "foreign agent" in 2021, and the Justice Ministry subsequently removed it from the register of authorized media organizations in Russia.
In March 2022, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the state communications regulator Roskomnadzor blocked Mediazona's website within Russia. Furthermore, Russian authorities have initiated criminal cases against several Mediazona journalists who are currently operating from abroad, including editor-in-chief Sergei Smirnov.